Frequently asked questions – secure tenure

What is secure tenure?
In essence, it is the ability to live in a place without fear of eviction.

Why is secure tenure important?

• It provides basic physical, economic and psychological security.
• It empowers individuals and families to invest in shelter improvements, develop home-based businesses and make investments.
• Governments are more willing to provide infrastructures and access to basic services to areas with secure tenure.
• Without it, individuals and families are vulnerable to physical and psychological injury, displacement and loss of livelihood and property.

What are some of the obstacles confronting secure tenure?

• Excessive bureaucracy and lack of political will
• Corruption
• Lack of legal documentation of property rights or difficulty procuring birth certificates to qualify for inheritances
• Differences in formal constitutional and informal local customs
• Gender discrimination and the cultural allowance of males to take control of land left to women
• Informal patronage systems between landlords and tenants
• Laws that demand that basic services have to have been provided before a title can be issued- despite the fact that these same services cannot be rendered unless the homeowner can provide legal documentation of their property.

How do secure tenure issues affect the work of Habitat for Humanity?
Our work on this issue is a large part of our mission to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action and to eliminate poverty housing from the world. Additionally, we require our family partners to own secure rights to the land upon which their houses will be built. Without the assurance of secure tenure, competing claims to the land often arise during or after construction of a house.

Why should Habitat affiliates be interested in a secure tenure campaign when it is so internationally focused?
While secure tenure is generally enjoyed in the United States, a large part of our mission is to strengthen communities throughout the world. Global issues affect us domestically. Unless we can combat the systemic problems that prevent families from keeping their homes, it will be impossible for Habitat for Humanity to continue to adequately address the issue of poverty housing.

How do affiliates benefit from advocating for secure tenure?
By advocating for tenure security, you are making it easier for Habitat affiliates outside of the U.S. to build homes and assist families. Additionally, you are helping create legal and cultural frameworks that support Habitat’s work. As a result, your tithes become more effective and far-reaching.

What can affiliates do to advocate for secure tenure?
Lend your voice to help Habitat build louder! You can send emails to elected officials about tenure security and other housing-related issues. By advocating for these policies and legislation, you are placing even more families in safe, decent and affordable homes. You can take action now or you can find ideas for advocacy projects in the secure tenure toolkit.

Are any other organizations involved in this campaign?
Yes! Several other non-profit organizations are involved in advocacy work for tenure security either directly or indirectly. We coordinate information and communicate with many of the other organizations concerned with addressing the needs of men, women and children living in poverty.