Rust: Governments should not take over housing finance entirely

Governments don't need to fully finance housing provision for their citizens; they simply need to stimulate activity in this area, Kecia Rust, founder and executive director of the Affordable Housing Finance Center for Africa, said at WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

"I'm very concerned about the idea that the central government must necessarily invest all the money. They just need to 'light the fire' in a few places-maybe that's not the best metaphor-but in any case, find a way to stimulate activity in different areas," she emphasized.

According to Rust, central and local governments should play a leadership role, but this shouldn't be limited to direct funding or subsidies.