Zambia

Plot 9696, Fifth Turn,
Off Munali Road,
Chudleigh, Lusaka
Tanzania

WebsiteA wireframe globe www.habitatforhumanityzambia.org
PhoneA smartphone +260 211251087

 

Country Facts:

 

  • Capital city  Lusaka
  • Population  over 20 million
  • Life expectancy – 61 years
  • Unemployment rate – 13%
  • Below poverty line  61.4%

*International poverty line of US$2.15 (World Bank)

Find more country facts on: CIA The World Factbook – Zambia

Habitat Facts

  • Habitat started in Zambia in 1984
  • Individuals served in FY2022  4,030
  • Through new construction – 180
  • Through incremental building  860
  • Through professional services - 2,990
  • Volunteers engaged in FY2022  128

 

The housing need in Zambia

Zambia is one of the most urbanized countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an urbanization rate of 4.35%, higher than the population growth rate that currently stands at 2.93%. About 44% of Zambia’s population lives in cities or urban areas, while 56% lives in rural areas. The national housing deficit stands at more than 1.5 million units and is projected to double by 2030, according to UN Habitat. Due to the lack of affordable housing, about 70% of urban dwellers live in unplanned settlements with poor housing and inadequate access to safe and clean water, sanitation, hygiene and extension facilities.

How Habitat addresses the need

Vulnerable groups housing 

We support vulnerable groups including children by providing adequate, affordable housing. Each participating household receives training in childcare, basic house maintenance, estate planning and will preparation, protection against HIV/AIDS, and malaria prevention. Since inception, we have helped 24,000 individuals through the construction of over 4,000 homes.

Water, sanitation and hygiene

Habitat Zambia partners with communities, donors, local corporations and commercial utility companies to build water kiosks, solar powered boreholes and toilets. To date, we have built 70 water points that include boreholes and communal water kiosks. As a result, 41,064 vulnerable community members residing in Chilanga, Lusaka, Chongwe, Kabwe and Ndola now have access to safe water.

Advocacy 

We aim to facilitate policy change and systems to ensure increased access to secure land and decent shelter. This includes increasing awareness of land right issues at both community and national levels by partnering with all relevant stakeholders such as policymakers in the government. 

Savings and financial literacy 

Research shows that financial literacy and the formation of saving groups, particularly among low-income households, is the lifeline of community wealth creation. Habitat Zambia raises awareness of financial risks and opportunities and builds the capacity of communities to make informed choices for improved economic well-being and living conditions.

We also facilitate linkages between program participants and various financial institutions. To date, we have established 1,577 savings groups, benefiting 5,842 community members.

Volunteer engagement  

Volunteers support Habitat’s ongoing efforts to ensure adequate and affordable housing. Evidence increasingly demonstrates the positive contributions of volunteering to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

What you can do

DONATE

Please visit habitat.org/donate and select “Designate your donation” to donate to Habitat Zambia.

VOLUNTEER

The Global Village program is resuming region by region until a safe and quality experience can be provided at scale worldwide. Please visit habitat.org/gv for more information and updates.

Habitat Zambia continues to work with community volunteers in the implementation of its work.

TITHE

Habitat affiliates in the U.S. support the international work through an annual tithe. For additional information, email [email protected] or contact your local Habitat organization.

 

CONTACT

Mathabo Makuta

National director

[email protected] 

website: www.habitatforhumanityzambia.org

 

 

Stories and news

Water is life

In Zambia, many families are challenged every day to survive. Mathabo Makuta, national director of Habitat for Humanity Zambia, discusses problems with access to clean water and water borne diseases.  

Read more

Believing in Lucy

Life had been unimaginably hard after Lucy’s mother died nine years ago. Her dad had died a year earlier. Lucy, only in the seventh grade at the time, quit school to raise her younger brothers - Bornface and Gift.

Read more