The Building and Social Housing Foundation is pleased to announce that the World Habitat Awards 2006 will be presented at the global celebration of World Habitat Day in Naples, Italy on Monday 2nd October and in Kazan, Russia on Wednesday 4th October.

The two winners of the World Habitat Award 2006 for innovative and sustainable housing solutions are the Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP) of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan and the Johannesburg Housing Company in South Africa. rdsten, Sweden.

Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP), Pakistan

The Building and Construction Improvement Programme of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Service works with local communities in Pakistan to develop and manufacture a range of affordable, environmentally- and regionally-appropriate home improvement products. Over 60 different products have been tested and applied to date, including fuel-efficient stoves, water warming facilities, home insulation and operable roof windows. Local manufacture keeps costs down and provides skilled employment to over 400 unemployed young people, helping to create sustainable livelihoods in areas of traditionally high unemployment. To date over 17,000 products have been installed in 8,600 homes in 125 remote mountain villages and the programme is continuing to expand. Products can be purchased without subsidy or with small micro-credit loans. Smoke free environments have led to a 50 per cent reduction in smoke related illnesses and fuel consumption is reduced by 60 per cent, saving 300,000 trees to date with associated benefits of reduced carbon emissions and improved soil stability. Using affordable and simple technologies, BACIP has also pioneered earthquake resistant and energy efficient construction methods for building construction in these cold and earthquake-prone mountainous areas.

Johannesburg Housing Company, South Africa

Established in 1995, the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) provides affordable, good quality and safe homes for rent for low-income city workers by renovating and converting abandoned inner-city offices, hotels and apartment blocks. To date, it has provided 2,400 homes, adding eight per cent to the inner city residential housing stock and has a continuing programme of renovation and new construction. Community development, resident training and social support are key elements of its work, of equal importance as its professional approach to housing management and maintenance. One thousand permanent jobs have also been created and JHC works with other property owners in local neighbourhoods to tackle issues of crime and grime on a comprehensive basis. Pioneering a model of social entrepreneurship and financial sustainability, JHC has met all operating costs from income since 2003 and its innovative housing approach is widely respected by government, private and professional sectors and greatly appreciated by the residents.

BUILDING AND SOCIAL HOUSING FOUNDATION

Memorial Square
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 3TU
UNITED KINGDOM
Phone +44 (0) 1530-510444
Fax +44 (0) 1530-510332
E-mail bshf@bshf.org
Web www.bshf.org