The programme facilitates well informed dialogue among key policy/decision makers aimed at improvement in basic needs provision and shelter development for the urban poor.

Shelter Forum engages in participatory processes aimed at making Kenya a society in which all persons particularly the poor and disadvantaged can voice and exercise their right to secure, affordable and decent shelter. The Forum thus employs Lobbying and Advocacy strategies to influence policy, legislative and administrative agenda for the realization of the right to adequate housing and sustainable livelihoods for both male and female poor and vulnerable. The Policy advocacy department facilitates tactical interaction between and amongst the policy makers/implementers and the target communities. It incorporates democratic governance as machinery for delivery of the basic services to the poor and undertakes capacity strengthening for Civil Society Initiatives to effectively and efficiently deliver on their various mandates. These include Land and Housing Civil Society Network (both National and Regional), basic rights campaign and strategic partnerships. The main programme area of focus for the department is to: -   ·          Identify key policy issues in close partnership with community and CSO partners. ·          Design and implement multi-pronged policy advocacy agenda (campaigns, collective expression etc.) ·          Monitor public expenditure on development programmes at constituency and national levels ·          Policy advocacy programme on various issues (land, housing, gender, slum up-grading, water, constitutional reforms etc.) ·          Advocate for programmes that support HIV/AIDS infected and affected persons. ·          Identify relevant issues and advocate for their consideration in the allocation of national and local authority budgets ·          Advocate for enumerations as an important tool within the Kenya Slums Upgrading Programme ·          Work with SF members and other partners to strengthen LASDAP ward monitoring committees to enable them monitor expenditure and demand timely implementation ·          Push for government subsidies for investment in land and housing ·          Facilitate discussion groups on land, housing, environment, natural resources and related issues ·          Set up community-based modes for enabling slum dwellers to actively engage in the policy development and implementation process ·          Convene civil society sessions with residents of People's Settlements (slum dwellers) to critique and inform legal and policy draft documents ·          Present findings and resolutions to the national working teams ·          Repackage and disseminate pertinent policy provisions ·          Monitor implementation of land policy once formulated ·          International exchanges for policy makers.