The SA Region represents one out of four persons and one out of two poor on the planet. It is among the lowest in terms of Mortgage Finance (Average Mortgage Debt to GDP Ratio 3.3). Region is faced with a massive housing shortage, Indian Urban Housing shortage of 25 million plus. Nearly the entire urban shortage in the region is in Economically Weaker and Poor sections. Persons per Room Density in India/Pakistan is 3.5. EU is 1.1, the USA is 0.5.

Hiding behind higher persons/room density, and living in slums. In some cases, homeless poor live on footpaths, and even in abandoned sewerage pipes, A slum household is defined as a group of individuals living under the same roof lacking one or more of the following conditions: “access to improved water; access to improved sanitation, facilities; sufficient living area (not more than three people sharing the same room); structural quality and durability of dwellings; and security of tenure”. Slums, Shanty Towns, Jhopar Patti, Jhuggi, Basti, Katchi Abadi, Squatter Settlements, legal/illegal habitats, and you name it. Nearly 50% of major metropolitans in the regions are slums. Two prong approaches would be needed: slum improvement programs and rehabilitation programs.