Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland

Housing Need
Over the past ten years HFHNI has been working in seven communities, with five active programmes and two completed projects in Iris Close (Lower Falls) and Glencairn (West Belfast), providing affordable homeownership for local families. These projects attracted significant cross-community volunteer support, and have helped to regenerate deprived and disadvantaged areas, strengthen communities, build networks and enhance community relations. Three current projects to build 30 houses are underway including simultaneous projects in Ballysillan & Ligoniel (North Belfast) and Downpatrick. HFHNI’s 50th house will be completed in 2006.

Habitat in Northern Ireland
Since starting in Northern Ireland in1994, Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland (HFHNI) has focused on areas of housing blight that have resulted from 30 years of community conflict. HFHNI seeks to be a catalyst for reconciliation in our divided communities by breaking down the walls of separation and helping to revitalise communities most at risk.

Partnerships have been established with prospective homeowners and volunteers, as well as with churches, local community groups and businesses, bringing together people from all socio-economic backgrounds and across the sectarian divide. In 2004 the regional housing authority, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, appointed Habitat Northern Ireland as its key social partner in “promoting integrated housing where it is practical, desirable and safe.” This is an acknowledgment of the unique ability the organisation has to work in interface areas and communities that have suffered as a result of the conflict.


Habitat Highlights

• We have worked with over 5,000 Catholic and Protestant volunteers and hosted 50 Global Village teams from USA.

• 43 families helped to build their own home.

• HFHNI will celebrate the completion of its 50th home in early 2006.

• This Northern Ireland will send its 100th Global Village team.

• By the end of 2005, HFHNI will have donated around $1 million to Habitat for Humanity housing programmes around the world, sponsoring more than 400 homes.