The Mid-term Review (MTR) in November 2019, National Affordable Housing Program (NAHP) was assessed as a problem project, with both ratings for Progress Towards Achievement of the Development Objectives and Implementation Progress rated as Moderately Unsatisfactory. The two key issues reflecting the ratings were (1) quality of works financed through the project, and the urgent need to put in place robust quality assurance and quality control systems, and (2) speed of delivery, noting that disbursements, particularly for Component 1 for the Mortgage-linked Down Payment Assistance Program, were ‘stuck’ and substantially behind schedule due to competing product from the Government incumbent programs with far less design constraints. Current disbursements are USD 217 million (48%) versus a USD 435 million target that put implementation 14 months behind schedule.

An interim implementation support mission carried out between February 4 and March 4, 2020 showed improved progress post-MTR is encouraging, with the Government carrying out the key short- and medium-term actions that are showing early results in addressing the concerns and risks on quality, and in removing the bottlenecks affecting disbursement.