Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia

Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (C F H H Z) is a non – governmental organization (NGO) which was established in 2007. It is a platform of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dealing in housing and habitat related issues and became a legal entity in 2010. The Forum currently has 31-member organisations consisting of International Non – Governmental, local Non – Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and individuals who share the same vision as CFHHZ. It is a member lead organisations therefore, the Board of Director is chosen from the member organisations. The core mandate of the organisation is to lobby and advocate for pro-poor housing Policies and laws that empower the poor and marginalised with housing and improved living standards. Our work with housing cooperatives Housing construction/rehabilitation and alternative building methods and technologies CFHHZ’s work with housing cooperatives is based primarily on self-help housing schemes. These cooperatives build and rehabilitate their houses through cooperative savings. The organisation is promoting Stabilized Soil-Block (SSB) Making Technology that use portable machines being produced by the University of Zambia’s, Technology Development Advisory Unit. The technology is environmentally friendly and uses soil which is stabilized by cement thus cutting building costs by not less than 30%. Income Generating Activities To increase the saving base for cooperatives, CFHHZ promotes income generating activities such as gardens and tailoring. The funds made from these ventures are funneled towards housing construction and rehabilitation through the savings.