Half the world's population now lives in cities, and an estimated 1.3 billion people survive on incomes of less than US$1 per day. At least 600 million urban residents in developing countries live in poverty, in poor quality housing, with limited or no access to basic services. A key ingredient in poverty alleviation is security of tenure and access to shelter. One important way to improve this situation is through the promotion of housing co-operatives. Click here to see the document.