Decent and Sustainable Co-operative Housing

The impact of our work in Senegal since 2009

Context

Among the many challenges faced by developing countries, limited access to affordable, dignified housing remains a major barrier to improving quality of life. Since 2009, Socodevi has been strengthening the capacity of the co-operative housing movement in Senegal to help families build their own homes and create healthy, sustainable living environments.

The experience of the Confédération des coopératives d’habitation du Québec was key in transferring proven co-operative housing models and tools to our Senegalese partners in the unions of Thiès, Saint-Louis, Kaolack, and Ziguinchor.

A closer look at the project

Description

In collaboration with the Union régionale des coopératives de construction et d’habitat de Thiès (URCCHT) and the Réseau international Éco-Développement (RIED), Socodevi developed innovative solutions to address key challenges such as responsible urbanization, healthy living environments, climate adaptation and access to essential services.

Under the PROCED project, funded by Canada, governance at the URCCHT was strengthened for its 4,600 members. Governance bodies now meet regularly, statutes and regulations were revised, and an information program was implemented to reinforce member engagement.

URCCHT is also the only housing co-operative union in Senegal to own a dedicated headquarters—built with the support of Socodevi and Promutuel Assurance.

Our impact

In the Thiès region, the project made 2,000 serviced plots ready for construction and designed affordable, energy-efficient housing models. Since 2009, 65 member co-operatives of URCCHT have received support, and governance has grown stronger—now reaching 58% female representation on the board of directors.

Gender equality has also progressed: parity and inclusion are now embedded in the statutes. The Board elected its first female president in 2020 and is now fully gender-balanced. URCCHT also deployed a program to improve access to dignified housing for women.

To stimulate the local sector, a compressed earth brick factory was built. In short, thanks to the work of Socodevi and its partners: better-quality housing, local jobs, and a sustainably strengthened co-operative movement.

Project partners

  • Union régionale des coopératives de construction et d’habitat de Thiès (URCCHT)
  • Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie of Québec (MRIF)
  • French Development Agency (AFD)
  • Réseau international Éco-Développement (RIED)

Testimonials

“In Africa, as elsewhere in the world, our goal is the long-term sustainability of our project results. To achieve this, strengthening co-operative or associative enterprises so that they become national references is essential. Thanks to these profitable and inclusive enterprises, communities will continue improving their well-being—and that of future generations.”

  • Richard Lacasse
    Former Executive Director, Socodevi

In pictures

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