Shelter Forum's mandate is to mobilize and sharpen capacities of slum dwellers to constructively engage policy makers and service providers on the right to adequate housing, secure tenure and basic services.

Shelter Forum has identified four strategic issues that are critical to the access of these rights by the slum dwellers. These are:

• Governance
• Adequate housing
• Access to basic services and infrastructure
• Institutional strengthening

Shelter Forum employs the following strategies in implementing its programmes:

• Participation of slum dwellers in decision making through capacity strengthening.
• Partnerships with the local authorities, private sector, professional organizations and other stakeholders.
• Solidarity with civil society organizations for lobbying policy makers.
• Support livelihood improvement for slum dwellers.
• Strengthen information and communication channels between slum dwellers and other stakeholders.

The delivery of the Shelter Forum mission requires projects to be implemented through specialised units. At the moment, the organization has four units dealing with programme implementation:

1. The Community Services Unit 

The unit is responsible for mobilising the slum dwellers for access to adequate housing and basic services. The unit has a comprehensive programme portfolio that addresses the key concerns of: Access to adequate housing, Access to basic services, Livelihoods improvement Support and formation of Partnerships with key stakeholders.

This unit is also responsible for Shelter Forum membership development to attain the critical mass needed to push the housing agenda for slum dwellers.

2.The Policy Development and Reforms Unit

Its main function is influencing, advocating and lobbying for improvement in the policy and legislative environment with regard to access to adequate housing, secure tenure and basic services.

3.The Communication Unit

The unit facilitates envoicing the marginalized urban communities and profiling issues of access to adequate housing and basic services. The unit acts as the liaison between Shelter Forum, communities, interest groups, development partners and the media-both print and electronic for purposes of profiling shelter issues. Further, the unit is responsible for developing an effective management information system which shall encompass all the Forum's reports(semi-annual, annual, donor) publications, documentation and the community information systems. Working closely with the Cheif Executive Officer's office, the unit is responsible for overall fundraising. It is also charged with the responsibility of carrying out both social and technical research in Shelter Forum's strategic focus issues.

4.The Finance and Administration Unit

The unit manages Shelter Forum's resources. It ensures efficient and effective application of resources to generate the desired impact. The core mandate of the unit involves financial accounting and management, infrastructural development, human resource management and general administration.