NICARAGUA : EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY - LOW COST HOUSING

A total of 8,043 permanent units have been either repaired or constructed & most contemplated infrastructure & community buildings were completed. Homes of 9 different styles were built within the paying capacity of the poor, with special payment consideratns instituted for families that cannot afford the cheapest units. Social participatn was carried out under the direction of Junta Nacional de Asistencia y Prevision Social (JNAPS), a Nicaraguan Social agency. Small businessmen and women have received training in job skills, community leadership, planning, and cooperative training, as well as, C$1.82 million in credit. BANINIC's capacity to execute home improvement activities and JNAPS' capacity to implement community development was strengthened thru techl assitance. Systems were established for the delivery of both small business and home improvemt credit. Constructn costs were minimized by maintaining, reinforcing, and adding to the temporary shelters. Manuals were prepared and distributed to teach residents elementary constructn techniques. Also, JNAPS adequately coordinated numerous agencies involved in the Community Devel program. Unfortunately, coordination with numerous Govt of Nicaragua (GON) and private agencies met with difficulties and required numerous changes. An attempt to promote a GON inter-agency Nat'l Housing Plan was delayed since support was not initially secured from other concerned GON agencies. Requested informatn received concerning internal accounting & record keeping were delayed and/or incorrect. It was recommended that: 1) the USAID controller's office audit the Trust, Home Improvement, and Home Owner's Assoc Funds in 9/78 & again before the 9/79 audit, and 2) 2 reports be submitted by the Borrower to USAID/N containing mortgage delinquency data, balances for Trust Home Improvemt & Home Owners Assoc Funds, the number & amount of sm business & home improvemt loans provided, the number of houses remaining to be adjudicated, and the number of mortage documts issued.