Habitat for Humanity ParaguayHabiat for Humanity Paraguay -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
Mission
Habitat for Humanity Paraguay is recognized as an organization which transforms the housing conditions of families by mobilizing resources and promoting national and international partnership. Habitat Paraguay is committed to eliminate the causes that prevent access to adequate housing, in such a way that will demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
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History
Habitat for Humanity Paraguay began its work in 1996, when a group of friends were inspired to of help increase access to adequate housing for communities in need. As a result of the initiative and perseverance of these first volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Paraguay was officially established in 1998, in the capital city of Asunción. The first three houses were completed the following year, in the urban neighborhood of Puerto Botánico.
Housing need in Paraguay
Paraguay is the third poorest country in South America, and few government-funded housing assistance programs exist here. At 2.45 percent, the population growth in Paraguay is one of the highest in Latin America, creating both an immediate need and a proportionately high demand for adequate housing.
754,000 families in Paraguay lack adequate housing, and 15,000 new homes are needed each year. (Descripción de la situación general de la vivienda. Derechos Humanos en Paraguay 2008)
Over 19 percent of Paraguayans live in extreme poverty; 15.7 percent in urban zones and 24.4 percent in rural. This means that more than 1.1 million individuals suffer from extreme poverty, earning less than US$1 a day. (Homes Survey 2007)
In the main cities, such Asunción, one out of every three families either rents or shares a home. Families with low economic resources and little collateral are required to pay a 50 percent security deposit on a rented unit, plus two months’ rent in advance.
50 percent of the houses in Paraguay are considered inadequate. 40 percent lack a cooking stove, 22.9 percent suffer from overcrowding, and 20.6 percent lack legal land tenure—illegally situated in public areas such as streets, parks, private properties and alongside rivers. (Coordinadora de los Derechos Humanos Paraguay)
In addition, 50 percent of the urban population and less than 40 percent of the rural population has access to water service. Only 34 percent of Paraguay’s total population has access to garbage disposal—resulting in a major sanitation crisis and high infant mortality rates.
Habitat for Humanity is working to make a positive impact on the availability of adequate, affordable housing in Paraguay.
Model Projects
Habitat for Humanity Paraguay supports several initiatives, in addition to traditional home construction.
Progressive housing solutions
Every housing solution proposed by Habitat for Humanity Paraguay is unique and, through technical assistance, is able to fit the needs of each family and community. Progressive designs allow families to build and grow in stages, as their income allows.
Progressive designs:
- Type 1: 24 mts2 (79 square feet): One bedroom, kitchen/dining room, bathroom and washing area.
- Type 2: 27 mts2 (95 square feet): Two bedrooms, kitchen/dining room, bathroom and washing area.
Rehabilitation and technical assistance
Solutions designed for houses that are already built or in progress, but need additions, repairs, improvements or completion. All housing solutions, including rehabilitations, are simple and economic, using construction materials such as clay brick, cement flooring and tile roofing.
Complete Houses
In addition to the projects above, Habitat for Humanity Paraguay continues to build complete homes. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, helping to build their houses and the houses of others, together with volunteers. Their monthly payments go into a Local Rotating Fund, which allows the construction of new homes.
Financial Education
This project is aimed at educating and accompanying partner families in the planning and administration of their home economy. The manuals and methodology used are the result of a project designed by Habitat for Humanity International and financed by Citi Foundation. Through a series of workshops, families learn to administer their income and expenses, and learn to design a budget, analyze and control their expenses, and follow a savings plan. Families are also informed about the risks and advantages of taking out loans with Habitat for Humanity or other organizations.
ABECO project
In alliance with “Coronel Oviedo Teachers’ Welfare Association” (ABECO) Habitat Paraguay offers adequate housing solutions to local teachers. After acquiring land in 2004, construction on the project began the following year. As of March, 2009, more than 100 families have benefited from this partnership. Beyond the specific impact to local teachers, Habitat Paraguay also addresses the broader housing problems of the region, assisting ABECO families, while at the same time committed to provide help to other local families as well.
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