What we do
Habitat for Humanity does not build houses for people, it builds with them. We work together with homeowners and volunteers to construct, renovate, or refurbish homes using donations of money, land and materials. Once completed houses are sold to partner families at no profit, providing a hand up rather than a hand out.
At the core of Habitat’s mission is the conviction that access to affordable shelter is a basic human right. We are committed to working with people of all backgrounds, races and religions in the fight against poverty.
Habitat for Humanity Ireland was founded in 2002 and has developed programmes in a number of areas:
1. Overseas Programme
Our Global Village programme has sent over 1700 volunteers from Ireland to over 20 countries around the world. Volunteers travel for up to 2 weeks to the host country, helping with the construction of the local houses, getting to know the local communities and cultures and raising funds to support Habitat’s projects.
2. Local Programme
Habitat also works to address inadequate housing in Ireland. We work in partnership with Dublin City Council, local government authorities, other non- profits and communities to build and renovate houses in Dublin to allow low income families the opportunity to buy their own home.
3. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Our OVC programme aims not only to build houses for children orphaned and made vulnerable by the spread of HIV/AIDS, but to significantly reduce their vulnerability by increasing their security and access to basic necessities and services.
4. Disaster Response
One key to fulfilling our mission of eliminating poverty housing worldwide is to make disaster response and disaster risk reduction strategies a top priority. With the number and severity of disasters increasing around the world, Habitat for Humanity is called upon more and more to respond.
5. Housing Support Services (HSS)
Habitat has adapted its model to include non-construction services to allow us to serve more families each year. Our HSS includes training individuals in business and construction techniques and offering micro-finance loans to homeowners to make improvements to their homes.
6. Gender
Around the world, women face significant barriers to owning property. At Habitat for Humanity we are committed to promoting gender equality through assisting women in becoming homeowners and advocating against unfair legal practices that prevent women from inheriting or owning property.
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