Supported by the 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) and the Cities and UN-Habitat's Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI), UN-Habitat, CRAterre-ENSAG, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the University of Cambridge have developed the tool in collaboration with the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP), Yaam Solidarité (Burkina Faso) and Architecture sans Frontièrs Nepal. The development of the software was undertaken by Aptivate, UK. SHERPA advocates for an approach towards sustainable housing as envisioned by UN-Habitat and its partners, applying the four pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, economic, and cultural). The tool is named after the Sherpa people of Nepal who help alpinists reach the highest peaks of the Himalayas. We hope that SHERPA will help you in your quest for designing truly sustainable housing projects."

SHERPA is an easy to use self-evaluation tool for project managers, communities, and other stakeholders involved in the planning, design, construction and assessment of housing projects. SHERPA assesses housing projects from the initial inception of projects through the site selection and design process all the way up to the end of the life cycle and recyclability of building materials used.

SHERPAs holistic approach allows for the assessment of sustainability in terms of environmental, cultural, economic and social sustainability, allowing for a holistic assessment of the impact and sustainability of housing projects.

Our pool of housing experts is ready to provide your organization or institution with further information on SHERPA, or requests for training packages on the SHERPA tool and our approach to sustainable housing. Please contact: info@sherpa4housing.org