What Happened
The Fondo de Ahorro Habitacional (Fondhabi), attached to the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (Miviot), is advancing a process of institutional reactivation focused on accelerating housing finance and widening access to housing solutions for Panamanian families. As part of this push, Fondhabi held a high-level meeting with representatives of the Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de Empleados de USAID R.L., led by its president Sonia Cherigo and manager Anelys Trejo, to align actions and optimize financing mechanisms.
Antonio Boyd, Fondhabi’s acting director, said the institution is entering an active execution phase focused on concrete results and on strengthening its cooperative-based model as a key channel for delivering housing solutions.
Background
Fondhabi operates under Miviot and has outlined a strategy to move from planning toward effective delivery. The recent meeting, which involved Miviot minister Jaime A. Jované C. and cooperative leaders, is part of that strategy to consolidate partnerships and improve how housing finance reaches families.
The cooperation model discussed is intended to make housing finance more direct and efficient by working with credit unions and cooperatives that have local reach and relationships with members. Fondhabi highlighted that this approach supports a range of housing interventions including acquisition, construction, repairs, expansions and adaptations.
What This Means
Fondhabi’s renewed focus on execution signals a shift toward tangible outcomes for households seeking formal housing solutions. By deepening ties with cooperatives, the fund aims to reduce barriers to formal credit for sectors historically excluded from mainstream lending and to channel resources into practical housing improvements.
According to the institution, the cooperative channel is intended not only to speed up the delivery of funding but also to ensure social impact through more tailored and accessible financing mechanisms. The model prioritizes inclusion by structuring financing instruments that are secure and sustainable for vulnerable groups.
Fondhabi’s move to prioritize execution and partnerships reinforces its role as a policy instrument for housing in Panama. While the institution did not announce specific project timelines or financing volumes in the recent meeting, officials emphasized alignment, operational strengthening, and the goal of converting resources into concrete housing solutions for families in need.