ACCESS TO CREDIT SOURCES AMONGST POOR URBAN HOUSEHOLDS (CASE STUDY OF WARD 14, DISTRICT 6, AND TÂN NHỰT COMMUNE, BÌNH CHÁNH DISTRICT, HỒ CHI MINH CITY)

Abstract

The issues of credit for the poor - opportunities and barriers to access to credit - gives a more practical look at the effectiveness of urban poverty reduction in the current socio-economic context. Qualitative survey data in Ward 14, District 6 and Tan Nhut Commune, Binh Chanh District shows that the poor have good opportunities and access to local credit programs. This is due to the active role of ward/commune/village staffs. The involvement of the poor in social organizations such as the Farmer's Association, the Women's Union... contributes to increase the internal strength of the social capital of the household and to help the poor access to policy information/credit programs timely and diversely. However, the lack of confidence in overcoming poverty, limited internal resources and the lack of livelihood strategies are barriers to access to credit by poor households in the two researched communities.