Housing need in Nicaragua
Eighty percent of the Nicaraguan population subsists on less than US$2 per day, and 43 percent on less than US$1 a day. In a country of more than five million habitants, there are many situations that affect the housing situation. Inadequate housing (both qualitative and quantitative), insufficient public investment in the housing sector, natural disasters, social and economic instability, migration from rural to urban areas and the formation of new nuclear families are all factors that take a toll on the availability of adequate housing in Nicaragua. It is estimated that each year the housing deficit in the country rises by some 30,000 homes.

Due to the low priority of housing on both political and non-profit agendas, investment in the housing sector has not been sufficient to tackle the problem.

Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua
Habitat for Humanity began working in Nicaragua in 1984. Under the sponsorship of the Pro-Denominational Alliance Evangelical Council, the first construction began in the community of Germán Pomares of Chinandega. Since then, families in Jinotega, Matagalpa, Estelí, León, Chinandega, Managua, Bluefields, Carazo and Rivas have built their homes with Habitat assistance.

Model projects
Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua 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 through four main initiatives to serve low-income families, with special emphasis given to women-headed households, families with three or more dependents, families with members who have special needs and families with a monthly income of less than US$350.

Auto-construction: Habitat Nicaragua creates exemplary construction projects in alliance with others. These projects provide training and technical assistance in areas such as alternative construction methods, quality control systems and community infrastructure.

Disaster mitigation: In order to facilitate disaster response and mitigation, Habitat Nicaragua provides technical assistance in construction systems, access to disaster-recovery related subsidies and financial intervention. The disaster response strategy includes preventative projects that mitigate the effects of natural disaster in the most vulnerable areas of the country, such as the Western and Atlantic coast regions.

Secure tenure: Habitat Nicaragua provides training and technical assistance in the legalization of land ownership. In addition, the organization helps to channel subsidies and train key actors, such as local government officials, communities, housing networks and social movements.

Housing law: Through advocacy initiatives and the strengthening the capacity of municipal governments, Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua supports the implementation, regulation and budgeting of national housing law.

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