Southeast Asia SGB Consultant

Adequate, affordable, and resilient housing remains a critical challenge across Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanization, persistent inequality, and high exposure to natural hazards continue to undermine the well-being of millions of low-income families. The region reflects broader Asia-Pacific trends, with an estimated 400 million people living in extreme income poverty and facing disproportionate vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Housing conditions vary widely—from dense urban settlements in Metro Manila and Jakarta to rural and flood-prone communities in Cambodia and Vietnam—yet the impacts of inadequate housing are similar: reduced economic opportunity, heightened health risks, and limited resilience to shocks.

Despite growing activity in the housing innovation space, most new solutions still cater to middle and high-income markets, leaving low-income households significantly underserved. Habitat for Humanity International’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) aims to address this gap by promoting market-based, scalable solutions that expand access to safe, decent, and climate-responsive housing. Building on Habitat’s regional impact of supporting over 2 million people in Asia-Pacific, TCIS seeks to strengthen the ecosystem of small and growing businesses (SGBs) with the potential to deliver inclusive and affordable housing solutions across Southeast Asia.

To advance this effort, TCIS will engage a consultancy firm to map and assess SGBs operating in the housing sector, along with relevant accelerators, incubators, and ecosystem actors. This research—covering Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—will directly inform the design of the Southeast Asia SGB Program, shaping its strategic focus, support services, partnership opportunities, and investment approaches.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

There are two main objectives:

1.Landscape mapping and analysis of SGBs in affordable housing sector in 4 focus countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam:

1.1Identify, categorize, and present examples of relevant start-ups and SGBs operating in the housing sector, focusing on the following thematic areas (detailed list and description of these to be provided post-selection):

a.Construction materials and machinery

b.Labor

c.Finance and Financial Protection (Insurance)

d.Small Affordable Housing Development

e.Proptech

f.Energy and water efficiency solutions (including sanitation and waste management)

g.Legal and Tax Support

h.Others – areas that contribute towards sustainable, green, vector-free, healthy and disaster-responsive housing solutions.

1.2Viability and Scalability Assessment – Analyze identified SGBs based on their business viability, scalability, climate resilience and their potential to deliver housing solutions for LIH populations in the focus countries. Assessment metrics will be co-created by TCIS and the consultant.

1.3Priority Innovation Areas – Identify and recommend the top five innovation areas per country within the housing sector most suitable for addressing the needs of low-income households (LIH), based on potential impact, scalability, and market readiness.

1.4 Needs Assessment – Identify key areas of support (e.g., mentoring, technical assistance, investment readiness, market access, legal and regulatory advisory) required by the refined list of promising SGBs.

2. SEA SGB program design Inputs – provide strategic recommendations for promoting SGB ecosystem in the focus countries:

2.1 Identify ecosystem stakeholders, such as existing accelerator programs, investors, corporate venture capital firm and mentor networks, etc. that are supporting start-ups and SGBs in priority areas established under object 1.3 and their potential value add to the program.

2.2 Recommend ecosystem stakeholders for partnerships and facilitate initial introductions or connections with those entities for potential inclusion in the SEA SGB program.

2.3 Explore financing sources for SGB initiatives, including catalytic funders, blended finance and development financial institutions.

2.4 Provide strategic inputs for scaling SGB ecosystem approach within Southeast Asia.

LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

The consultancy is expected to perform a multi-dimensional analysis across the following levels:

• Enterprise-Level Analysis – of selected SGBs, assessing:
• Business model and revenue streams
• Product or service innovation
• Impact potential on LIH
• Operational capacity and market reach
• Current funding, partnerships, and growth plans
• Sectoral/Thematic Analysis – comparative assessment across the thematic areas, evaluating:
• Maturity of the innovation landscape in each area
• Market potential and investment trends
• Existing barriers to scale and adoption
• Relevance and affordability for LIH households
• Market and Ecosystem-Level Analysis – broader analysis of the enabling environment and key stakeholders:
• Regulatory and policy landscape affecting affordable housing
• Ecosystem gaps and potential for cross-sector synergies
• Key stakeholders (e.g., investors, development agencies, networks)

TIMING

The timeframe for the project is expected to be 4 months from the date of contracting.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• Inception Report – present identified relevant SGBs and ecosystem stakeholders: 2 weeks,10% of payment
• Interim findings – recommendations on priority areas for scalable impact in affordable housing in the focus countries based on the market/ enterprise analysis: 4 weeks, 10% of payment
• SEA SGB program design inputs – including initial interview/ meetings/ convening event with ecosystem stakeholder and relevant SGBs: 3 weeks, 20% of payment
• Presentation to TCIS and Knowledge Product – including scaling strategy recommendations; knowledge product capturing the market insights, directory of SGB and accelerators, and country wise program design recommendations. Includes up to two revisions post review and feedback from TCIS. 3 weeks, 30% of payment
• Convening Event – with sector relevant stakeholders: 4 weeks, 30% of payment

BUDGET

• This contract should be delivered for under US$35,000, including all expenses.

QUALIFICATIONS

The consultancy firm should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the start-up and innovation ecosystem in Southeast Asia
• Proven experience in market research, past experience in housing, urban development, or related sectors
• Experience working with low-income housing issues or inclusive business models
• Capability to conduct fieldwork and stakeholder interviews
• Strong analytical and reporting skills

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested firms are invited to submit the following:

• Technical Proposal (approach and methodology, team composition, and timeline)
• Financial Proposal (breakdown of costs)
• CVs of key personnel
• Portfolio of similar assignments undertaken

CONTACT

• Please contact Sabha Khawaja at HFH’s Terwilliger Center with any questions that you may have related to these terms of reference: skhawaja@habitat.org, deadline for submissions shall be on Jan 20, 2026, PHL Time.