CHAPTER 5 . . - Distribution of goods markets across the country; - Transparency in decision-making, particularly in the contribution of participatory groups and individuals at the unit and district levels to the final decision; and - Regular information on the implementation of development projects. Objective 4: Ensure affordable access to water, sanitation, energy, finance, markets, information and communications technology, shelter and land for all citizens, especially the poor i. Self-assessment Housing 57. The CSAR draws attention to housing scarcities. In the rural areas, the market for formal housing delivery is not lucrative for real-estate developers. In the urban areas, the rapid rise in the population has been accompanied by slow growth in real incomes and land litigation. The result has been shortage of rental accommodation, high rents, and hardship for a good fraction of the population. Most respondents to the survey support some form of public-private partnership, as well as direct government intervention, in the provision of houses. 58. Sources of difficulties in increasing the housing stock include the processing of applications for building permits, the high cost of building materials (relative to incomes), and unavailability of credit. The CSAR suggests that these difficulties could be alleviated by instituting housing loan schemes, promoting the use of local building materials and enforcing by-laws and regulations on housing construction. It suggests strengthening the Department of Rural Housing and Cottage Industries and NGOs to operate housing schemes in all districts, especially in rural areas. Electricity 59. Access to electricity in the rural areas is low (16.1%), relative to the urban areas (74.6%). Access in rural areas is being promoted via the Self-Help Electrification Programme, which is partly financed through a levy on electricity consumption and loans and grants from aid donors. To augment private sector participation, the government has introduced a Power Sector Reform Programme. 130