This study was commissioned by GTZ PO Nord-Kivu, on behalf of UNHCR, DRC East. The objective of the study was to investigate the feasibility of low-cost housing as a permanent shelter solution for vulnerable groups in the province of Nord-Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study took place over three weeks in August and September 2009 and included meetings with concerned parties from the GoDRC to the Chefferie (traditional authority structures), humanitarian actors and donor organisations; field visits to relevant areas; interviews with potential beneficiaries; a desk study of low-cost housing practices in other countries and a group discussion among interested parties. The study found that new low-cost housing settlements can play an important part in the stabilisation phase of Nord-Kivu by providing durable shelter to those vulnerable elements of the population, who find themselves unable to return to their areas of origin, and vulnerable ex-combatant families, who may return to armed groups in order to secure an income.