Housing need in Bolivia
Bolivia has high poverty rates and huge differences in living and habitat conditions among sectors of higher and lower incomes of the population.

 Bolivia has a population of over 10 million people, over 60 percent of which do not have access to drinking water and sewage services. Statistics also show that out of the total population, 58 percent of Bolivian families live in huts that do not meet the minimum living conditions, lacking basic services and sanitation. Thirty-one percent of homes accommodate three or more people per bedroom.

Approximately 69 percent of Bolivian houses have dirt floors; these houses make families susceptible to contract diseases as major respiratory problems and stomach pains. The most affected ones are children.

According to the Government, housing deficit is of 250.000 houses across the country and they have set the goal to build 25.000 houses per year, which means this need will be supplied in 10 years. But as population growth is increasing constantly, deficits will continue to exist beyond the 10 years of work planned.

Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia
Habitat has 27 years of service and working with people. Habitat Bolivia maintains the search for housing solutions that will contribute to the exercise of the Human Rights to adequate housing. The organization has three offices in three different departments of the country (Cochabamba, La Paz and Santa Cruz).

 Habitat for Humanity Bolivia gives a housing loan to low income families who have no access to a regular bank financing. And in this sense, has a revolving fund that is aimed at housing solutions like new housing, upgrades to existing housing, repairs, minor additions and progressive improvement. It teaches the value of solidarity and sustainability through this model because the money provided is retrieved and assigned to other families in the same or worse condition.

Model projects

Habitat for Humanity Bolivia has different housing models, which are suited to particular ecological zone in the region, the possibilities and needs of families. Its variation consists of the number of rooms and construction materials.

 It promotes self-construction to get the family to actively participate. Habitat Bolivia believes there is no better person to supervise the build than the home owners.

 Habitat for Humanity Bolivia supports the social production of habitat in such a way that strengthens community leadership and resources, and supports families in achieving solutions to their housing needs. The organization works with special emphasis given to women-headed households, families with three or more dependents and families with members who have special needs.

 Advocacy

Advocacy efforts in Bolivia have contributed to significant constitutional changes which defend the basic human right to adequate housing and to the city.

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity in Latin America and the Caribbean.