Adding to the rich content of housing conversations – in particular Episodes 14, 22 and 27 – in today’s episode we take a closer look at the private finance models available to micro-developers; what progress has been made and what ambitions this emerging sector has.

Currently making a dent in the housing market in Cape Town, Bitprop finance’s mission is to create assets and income streams for underdeveloped markets by upscaling of backyard rental properties. Innovative thinking, technology and securing title deeds are also key approaches they employ to make a dent into the 65 Million housing units required across Africa at a cost of $10 trillion.

The approach is not limited to credit only and applies economic and spatial transformation and urban management fundamentals: Securing ownership, homeowner education, rental management capacity building and building and enhancing neighbourhoods.

What’s exciting is the potential reach of the programme; the diversity in investment sources; and the monthly income and returns for the lending homeowners. Is this the basis for an upscaled human settlement approach? What can be done to support the efforts and does the public sector have a role in resourcing further? To help us understand the potential and approach, today, we hear from Claire du Trevou Architectural Project Manager at Bitprop. An architect by trade, she is a graduate of the University of Pretoria and is about to celebrate her second full year working within the Bitprop team.

Where I get confused by the UKs Britpop movement of the 90’s characterised by Oasis and Blur and the Bitprop finance movement characterised by spatial and economic transformation – the fault is entirely ours.