Many clients living in poverty can dramatically increase their quality of life with investments in their home. Innovations in architecture, energy and agriculture can transform a low-cost home into a source of cost savings, time savings, health and income generation.

Client needs:
• Saving Money
• Growing trees for cooking wood and oil bearing seeds
• Building-in efficient cookstoves
• Passive solar heating and cooling
• Resilient roofing and wall materials

• Increasing Income
• Lighting and electricity for income generation and reading
• Cash crop vegetable gardens
• Biogas digesters
• Poultry and Animal husbandry structures

• Preserving Health
• Improved sewage and latrines
• Disaster-resistant structures
• Improving nutrition through vegetable gardens
• Incorporating smoke ventilation practices

• Saving Time
• Grinding and milling technologies
• Household water supply

An MFI’s existing operation may position them to create sustainable businesses delivering to offer standard home building/remodeling packages that will maximize quality of life benefits to their clients. MFI’s are uniquely positioned for housing opportunities due to their:
• Existing brand recognition and credibility in their markets
• Standing financial relationship with clients possibly including existing lending for
mortgages or home improvements

MFI venture opportunities include:
• Household Designs
• Renovation Designs
• Equipment Finance and Sales
• Training in Gardening and Animal Husbandry techniques and benefits

Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises