Affordable Housing Insights: 2024 IHS Conference in SA

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Exploring Sustainable Solutions for Affordable Housing in SA

International Housing Solutions(IHS) is hosting the 16th IHS Affordable Housing Conference 2024.Proudly sponsored by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) Property Finance, it will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators on 30October 2024 in Johannesburg.

This pivotal event will serve as a platform for exploring comprehensive solutions to the challenges of affordable housing.Under the theme 'Navigating the future', the conference will focus on practical approaches to creating more inclusive and sustainable housing solutions and encourage collaboration to address South Africa’s need for affordable housing.

VanessaMurray, Divisional Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank CIB, highlights the importance of sustainability in reshaping the housing market. 'The affordable housing sector needs a customised approach that goes beyond a vanilla tick box approach with respect to debt solutions. At Nedbank CIB, we are focused on designing funding strategies that genuinely meet the needs of communities and the realities of the market.

NedbankCIB’s commitment to sustainability, evidenced by the use of proceeds deployed under a Green Residential Bond it issued in late 2021, will lead to the certification of 1 790 housing units under the EDGE standard, designed to achieve savings of at least 20% in energy, water, and embodied carbon.

Murray adds: 'We believe that sustainable building practices are essential to meeting the long-term needs of our communities. By investing in projects that meet green standards, we are laying the groundwork for future developments that prioritise both environmental responsibility and social impact.'

Overcoming Barriers to Progress in Affordable Housing

Despite progress in the sector, challenges remain around regulatory processes and funding limitations. Rob Wesselo, Managing Director of IHS, notes: 'The affordable housing market is often held back by slow regulatory approvals and inconsistent support from local authorities. These challenges can stifle innovation and limit the scale at which we can operate. The IHS conference aims to tackle these issues head-on, sparking conversations that lead to real solutions.'

Wesselo stresses the importance of using the conference as a platform for collaboration between the public and private sectors, aimed at removing barriers that slow down progress in affordable housing. 'Our goal is to turn these challenges into opportunities by finding practical and sustainable ways to streamline processes and mobilise resources for greater impact,' he adds.

The conference will feature discussions and panels on key topics such as sustainable urban development, the role of technology innovation in driving affordable housing, and strategies to increase gender equity within the property sector. These conversations will look at how partnerships between the private sector, developers, and government can create a more supportive environment for scaling up affordable housing solutions.

Join us at the 16th IHS Affordable Housing Conference 2024 to shape the future of affordable housing. Let’s develop practical solutions that meet community needs and drive sustainable growth. Be part of the conversation that sets new benchmarks for innovation and resilience.

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Johannesburg Event Details:

Topic: 16th IHS Affordable Housing Conference 2024