Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica

Contact information HFH Costa Rica La Uruca, del Hotel Irazu 400 NE y 150 O casa verde a la derecha San Jose Costa Rica Phone: +506 22907112 Fax: +506 22907112 E-mail: gvallada@habitatcostarica.org         Web site www.habitatcostarica.org				Habitat's Work in Costa Rica New families served this year*: 46 Total homes constructed/rehabilitated: 1,186 House sponsorship cost: US$14,020         Costa Rica News and Stories Habitat for Humanity signs agreement with General Business Machines Corporation An enterprising family In David’s workshop, resource and imagination collide
Country profile

Mission
Habitat Costa Rica works in association with God and people of all diversities, to develop communities with people in need through the construction and renovation of houses, thus allowing each person to have a decent home in their community and to experience the love of God, living and growing into all that He made.

History
In 1988, Habitat for Humanity began to work in the Costa Rican city of Esparza. In its first three years, the Esparza affiliate built 50 houses. In 1991, with the introduction of an ambitious government-housing program that provided houses for the poor, Habitat ceased construction in Costa Rica. In 1996, due to large cutbacks in the government program, and with an estimated 35 percent of the Costa Rican population still living in substandard housing, Habitat for Humanity was invited to resume its work in San Ramón.

Today, hundreds of homes have been built with the support of many local and international churches and businesses. Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica constantly seeks ways to extend its reach further, creating more accessible solutions for families with fewer resources through initiatives such as “progressive” housing solutions, home rehabilitations, technical support and financial education.

Habitat Costa Rica reaches out to communities located in Esparza, Nicoya, Monteverde, San Ramón, Alajuela, Cartago, Buenos Aires and Río Claro. Two more affiliates will be established soon in San José and the Atlantic coast.

Housing need in Costa Rica
Though Costa Rica has a fairly stable economy, large government deficits—due to interest payments on exorbitant internal debt—have undermined efforts to maintain the quality of social services. Inflation rates remain at more than 10 percent, while an estimated 35 percent of the population lives in inadequate housing.

Model Projects
Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica supports several initiatives, in addition to traditional home construction.

Appropriate Social Interest Housing
A three year project to help 1,850 families through a combination of new housing, home improvements and access to land. Target population includes marginalized groups (women, immigrants, the elderly and disabled). This program also provides financial literacy training, home maintenance and community activities.

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.

Complete Houses
In addition to the projects above, Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica 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.