Final report : improving housing and urban services in the Caribbean Region, 1961-97 : the role of RUDO/CAR

This report details the course and impact of the RUDO program. First, regional housing and economic problems are characterized. Next, background information is presented on the HG program and how its goals and objectives evolved over time. Third, RUDO programs in each country and various regional initiatives are described, covering Jamaica (the largest beneficiary of the HG program in the region and the third largest recipient of HG assistance worldwide), Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Haiti. Fourth, some of the general programmatic themes that RUDO emphasized are summarized; representative examples of successful projects are highlighted. Overall findings are detailed in conclusion. The RUDO played an effective and creative policymaking and development role in the Caribbean, achieving many successes despite the challenges of an inhospitable economic and foreign exchange environment; high levels of unemployment and poverty; the pressures of rapid urbanization; and lack of adequate public services, infrastructure, and environmental strategies. Its role evolved over time as the mandates and objectives of the HG program and the Housing Office changed. The focus of the early years on financing housing projects and building savings institutions grew into a more systematic and comprehensive approach. The RUDO sought to help governments in the region develop strategies and housing policies targeting low- income families and basic, affordable housing solutions. Principles of cost-recovery, cost-effectiveness, and targeted subsidies were incorporated into shelter policymaking. The need to improve the delivery capacity of both public and private sector shelter institutions was also recognized. Despite many constraints, substantial progress was made in improving national policymaking and creating sustainable shelter systems. The RUDO also helped make governments and Missions in the region more aware of the need to respond to rapid urbanization and growth through large investments in infrastructure, improved public services, job generation, and environmental protection. The RUDO helped design projects that demonstrated innovative approaches to dealing with these problems. In the late 1980s, as USAID policy shifted and began to view housing within the wider context of environmental concerns, RUDO projects were designed to address regionwide issues of water, wastewater disposal, pollution, sanitation, and disaster mitigation. Improving infrastructure and urban services and the environment became the focus of the RUDO strategy, and Jamaica"s large-scale housing program was brought to a close. One of the most important legacies of USAID"s housing efforts in the region may be the RUDO"s skill building and institutional development efforts. The RUDO can take some credit for the fact that the complexities of housing and urban development issues are widely recognized in the region and are reflected in many intergovernmental cooperative efforts and partnerships between the public and private sectors. Government agencies have become more familiar with long-term planning and strategic approaches to urban problem solving. Housing officials are more aware of the need to set priorities and target resources and respond to market considerations and individual initiative. A cadre of experienced public and private sector housing professionals now work in the region. Although the RUDO closed in 1997, the Jamaica Mission continues to manage the regional disaster mitigation initiative, and the Office of Environment and Urban Programs in Washington provides technical support to the region on shelter and environmental concerns. (Author abstract, modified)