How We Work
Habitat for Humanity houses are:
Simple
Habitat houses are modestly sized — large enough for the homeowner family’s needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum.
Decent
Habitat uses quality, locally available building materials. Trained staff supervise Habitat house construction and educate volunteers and partner families. House designs reflect the local climate and culture.
Affordable
The labour of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and a no-profit, affordable loan make it affordable for low-income people around the world to purchase a Habitat for Humanity house.
Habitat for Humanity Houses Around the World
From the tropical islands of the Philippines to the mountains of Peru, Habitat builds houses designed for the local setting. Habitat affiliates build with locally available materials, reducing costs and making it easier for homeowners to maintain the houses. For example, houses in many African countries are constructed with fired clay bricks, with tile roofs made of cement or fired clay. Houses in Latin America often are built with concrete block or adobe walls and metal roofs, while houses in the Pacific are often built with wood frames and are constructed on stilts.
People of different countries use their houses in different ways. Habitat’s house designs reflect these cultural considerations. Meals are cooked outdoors in many African countries; here Habitat plans call for a kitchen area outside the house rather than inside. In the Philippines, laundry and other chores traditionally are done on a small outdoor utility porch. Filipino Habitat house designs reflect this custom.
Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as €500 in some developing countries to an average of €120,000 in Ireland.
Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years.
Read about the award-winning Cane Reed Project in Kyrgyzstan here.