Owner-driven Housing Reconstruction Guidelines (ODHR)

1. Owner-driven Housing Reconstruction Guidelines (ODHR) Sandra D’Urzo, Shelter Department IFRC sandra.durzo@ifrc.org

2. Participatory methods are not new and called in many different ways – but their acceptance and wide use are still not ‘mainstreamed’ ODHR guidelines capitalize on the post-tsunami experience of CRRP in Sri Lanka and the impact this has had ODHR guidelines institutionalize this approach within the RCRC Movement as the ‘by default’ approach to post-disaster reconstruction. ODHR Guidelines benefited from many contributors of different organisations Where does ODHR come from?:

3. What is owner-driven reconstruction? “ODHR programmes assist identified families and communities to rebuild homes that are safe and meet or exceed established technical requirements, in an integrated approach centered on the affected families as informed decision-makers”

4. What are the fundamental requirements for ‘implementing ODHR’? • Participatory process of decision-making • Adequate technical support • Adequate financial assistance • The reconstruction programme integrates community infrastructure needs, livelihoods needs and vulnerability to future disasters (DRR).

5. The PRINCIPLES FOR ODHR • 1. Participatory process of decision-making • 2. Appropriate technical support • 3. Appropriate financial assistance • 4. Government recognition of ODHR and policy/advocacy on reconstruction • 5. Principles of DRR and building safe environments • 6. Participation and technical support requires access • 7. Reconstruction extends beyond housing • 8. Addressing security of tenure • 9. Informed decision making • 10. Responsible resettlement

6. What kind of assistance will the programme provide?

7. What kind of assistance will the programme provide?

8. STEP 1 Collection of data, advocacy and protection of rights, Community mobilization and organization, formation of groups where appropriate (CDCs) ODHR team STEP 2 Plan of Action STEP 3 Support to prepare for activities (including trainings and workshops) In instalments STEP 4 Activities Quality control, technical support, inspections, certifications Hire/provide labour, purchase materials, supervise works Monitor Implement Family manages individual house construction Community manages communal infrastructure projects

9. The Guidelines will take you through the entire process… • SECTION. what is ODHR? • SECTION. Programme Development • SECTION. Participatory Process • SECTION. Technical Assistance • SECTION. Financial Assistance • Each has: • General Considerations • Assessments and Planning • Implementaion • ANNEXES: ie. how to prepare an MoU or a Community Contract, BoQs in local language, progress payment certificates, construction progress reports etc

10. Sense of ownership, self-esteem > actors of change Cash flow stays within the communities Community better understands vulnerabilities and can engage with local authorities Personalization of designs, variety of built environment > use of top-up funding if sustainable Care and maintenance plans Lower unit cost, reduced overheads. BUT ODHR requires high level of HR/family Quick in construction phase BUT slow in start-off phase Strengths of ODHR?

11. Potential risks (and mitigation) • These depend on a number of questions: • will families use the grant for its intended purposes? • Allow flexibility of construction schedules, support financial management to minimise delays and drop-outs • will the quality of construction remain acceptable in all houses? • Reduce the n. of houses /supervisor, ensure all understand quality standards • who will the families turn to if the house fails due to poor quality of construction? • LIABILITY may be transferred irresponsibly to families!. Quality is joint responsibility among partners. Designs need to be certified! • will poorer families be able to complete their houses? To care and maintain them? • Allow portion of grant to cover daily needs of poorest families. Understand ‘who is in change’ (and will benefit from trainings) • will suppliers , contractors and labourers take advantage of these? • More frequent visits, support hiring contractors/other families who can help (social inclusion process), build in contingencies.

12. Assessment and Planning – a crucial phase • understand institutional framework • roles and responsibilities • define programme resources (HR for comm team, technical team, programme support) • prepare time plan and budget considerations • define management structure, monitoring and evaluation • ALL THIS IS COMPLEX: YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!

13. Typical project cycle – 14 months • Preparation • Planning & Community Mobilisation • Housing Construction • Community Contracts • Livelihoods Planning • Project Completion

14. Shelters and settlements Individual housing auto construction Water sanitation > mur constructif > connexion future Green spaces Roads and infrstaructures > espace public > habitations existantes Common equipments

15. Example of houses built under CRRP in SL

16. What next?...

17. There is a lot of knowledge out there…

18. The important is how to learn from it and how to communicate it!

19. Next steps • Start a training on ODHR (online, distance learning? residential?) funded by BrRC • disseminate the Guidelines to teams working in ongoing reconstructions (ie. Haiti, Pakistan, Vietnam…) • link it to other initiatives (Urban guidelines, PCR tools etc) • get feedback from practitioners to make a final version (2012).

20. Profile of ‘ideal’ Shelter programme staff implementing ODHR: NGO experience – Previous work experience or knowledge of NGO culture can help in ensuring that technical staff may support NGO values of learning and consensus building. housing experience – Finding an engineer or contractor who has experience in residential construction projects is difficult in many poor countries, but worth seeking out. knowledge of management tools – Familiarity with construction scheduling, GANT charts, material management, and logistic requirements are important skills for technical staff. sketching vs. Auto-CAD – Younger engineers are often more proficient in using computers as design tools than pencil and paper, which can handicap their ability to visually communicate with beneficiaries and non-technical staff. training vs. giving orders – Engineers and contractors typically know how to ‘boss’ people around, and may find it difficult to adopt a softer approach that involves teaching - rather than telling - people what to do. (‘soft.-skills’) participation vs. production - Balancing the dual needs of meeting construction deadlines and encouraging participation is a frequent challenge in reconstruction housing projects, and requires flexibility and patience. Awareness of cross-sectoral themes – ie. Gender, climate changes and DRR…

21. What kind of tools can inform your work? Check for…. • a large number of guidelines on post-disaster housing reconstruction exist , the issue is how to implement them • RC project on Fednet database and NS publications on specific or generic programmes • social and low-cost housing experiences in the countries you go to and construction guidelines • online technical sheets like Practical Action, open ‘libraries’ like • www.sheltercenter.org, www.un- habitat.orgwww.openarchitecturenetwork.org, www.archnet.org, • Among others! Existing tools and guidelines

22. …different forms of engaging people….partner up with communities rather than just inviting their participation Images / E. Saleil

23. It’s up to you now….thanks!