Habitat for Humanity International

Jhunbala, a member of a local self-help group in Odisha state, gained livelihood support through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity India and Standard Chartered Bank India. “I want to expand the vegetable cultivation activity so that all the SHG members can earn well. Self-sufficiency brings self-respect and dignity. I am thankful for the opportunity to build my livelihood.”
Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2021, started as a technical volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and went on to advocate. She says: “I want to be living proof that architects can contribute to aiding in solving a variety of social issues. Everyone deserves a safe, sustainable home to live in, and as a country, we should work together towards ensuring our people obtain this.”
Habitat Women, a social enterprise by Habitat for Humanity Australia, aims to address the gender gap in the construction industry — where women make up only 11% of the workforce —and empower women while providing economic stability.

VOLUNTEERS

Heartfelt thanks

Japanese volunteers receiving their certificates of participation in Dong Thap, Vietnam. Facebook photo from Habitat for Humanity Vietnam.

Since February, a total of 136 international volunteers — the majority of whom are from Japan and a corporate team from South Korea — have worked alongside families to build homes in locations ranging from Cambodia to Indonesia to Vietnam. They are the first to be hosted in the Asia-Pacific region since Habitat suspended the Global Village volunteer program in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More volunteers will be hosted in several locations including Fiji from now till June. Learn more.

When Generation Z volunteers

Volunteers Taylor Kennard (L) and Koh Pi Rong (R)

Photos of Taylor and Pi Rong courtesy of Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand and Singapore.

Taylor Kennard, who volunteers with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, says: “It’s easy to go about your own life and not be aware of others. When you’re volunteering to help someone, you take on how they feel about their housing and how hard it can be for them. It makes me feel like I’m making a difference. When I first volunteered, I wasn’t expecting to meet such lovely and kind people. I’m very proud and very privileged to be part of such a cool organization.” Over in Singapore, Koh Pi Rong helps to improve people's living conditions through Project HomeWorks. “The work may seem daunting at first (physically strenuous), but if you put in time and effort, what you learn and experience is something you won’t be able to get elsewhere.”

NEWS

Building homes with over 300 low-income families in Philippines

Bignay-Maunlad socialized housing project in Philippines

Video screengrab from Habitat for Humanity Philippines' Facebook post.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines recently inked a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and partners for a social housing project. Through the people-public-private partnership, 334 low-income families in Valenzuela City will be building decent, affordable homes. The Bignay-Maunlad socialized housing project will contribute to the Philippine government's goal of building 1 million housing units annually from 2023 to 2028.

Green and affordable housing microfinance
Habitat's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter works with partners across the globe to facilitate more inclusive housing market systems, making affordable housing possible for millions. This includes support for an extended partnership between Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong and the Credit Suisse APAC Foundation. The initiative aims to support over 40,000 individuals in the Philippines through awareness and education on climate-friendly construction methods, as well as 3,000 Filipino households through housing microfinance loans, with a special focus on green construction and disaster-resilient practices. Read more.

Habitat's MicroBuild Fund helps over 1 million people to date

Since 2012, Habitat's MicroBuild Fund — the world’s first housing-specific microfinance investment vehicle — has helped more than 1 million people with access to better housing through affordable finance solutions. Families like Sani and Ace in Indonesia now have a safe place of their own that can stand up to earthquakes and typhoons. Read their story in the FY22 MicroBuild Fund annual report.

DISASTER RESPONSE

Response to Ukraine crisis: one year on

Families from Ukraine in Habitat's response

Download a comprehensive one-year report on Habitat's response to the crisis in Ukraine.

It has been over a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has caused over 8 million refugees to seek shelter in neighboring countries and beyond. Since the beginning of the conflict, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of refugees and displaced families access safe accommodation and housing. Learn about our ongoing efforts in the region and our partnership with Catholic Relief Services to support direct repairs inside Ukraine.

OTHER

Three ideas for resilient housing
People in least-developed countries are most affected by climate change and the affordable housing shortage. In his latest article for the World Economic Forum, Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford proposes three ideas to address the need for more energy-efficient and weather-resilient homes.

Gratitude for President Carter’s service

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at 2017 CWP in Canada

On #PresidentsDay on February 20, Habitat for Humanity expressed thanks and gratitude for over 39 years of partnership and support from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter who has entered hospice care. We continue to wish him comfort and wellbeing as he is surrounded by the love of his family in Plains, Georgia.

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