The provision of housing that is fully serviced and affordable remains a major challenge for most developing countries. A lot of settlements still comprise poor housing structures that are prone to damage during inclement weather, with poor or no utilities, few community facilities, and poor roads. Several third-world governments have attempted to address the issue through housing policies or programs such as the provision of serviced sites and extendible units. Other measures include housing schemes such as subsidized home loans, distribution of (free-) house plans, and promoting private sector involvement. The reduction in costs for houses can be achieved through the select use of appropriate materials, construction techniques and through design as well. The selection of a more cost-effective method depends more on the local conditions, available skills and equipment.