CDB and IDB Hosting Housing Policy Seminar on "Improving Housing Affordability in the Caribbean"A joint IDB-CDB high-level housing policy seminar for the English-speaking Caribbean region, is into its second and final day at the Hilton Barbados. This seminar was organised in response to feedback from the first high-level IDB housing policy seminar that was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in October 2005. At that time, representatives from the six IDB-supported countries and CDB proposed widening the conference to include the members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and British Overseas Territories. Twelve participants from the OECS and the British Overseas Territories are participating in this year's seminar.The theme of this year's housing conference is "affordability," and the goal is to help the countries of the Region design and implement social housing and shelter policies that will provide affordable housing and shelter solutions to the Region's inhabitants. The theme of affordability is being addressed by examining formal and informal approaches to the issue, and the seminar is seeking to mobilise the private sector to work in collaboration with regional governments to provide acceptable solutions. It is concentrating on two specific areas: best practices in housing finance; and best practices in the Construction and production of social housing.It is hoped that the 2007 housing policy seminar will further facilitate the transfer of experiences and knowledge among member countries, as well as strengthen the Bank's effectiveness in working with its member countries.