What keeps someone coming back

Over the next two decades, Alvin’s relationship with Habitat Singapore deepened. He continued as a volunteer, served on the board, and today is the organization’s acting board chair and treasurer. In his professional life, he is senior economist at United Overseas Bank Limited, dealing with data, markets, systems and policy. At Habitat, he found the human consequences behind them.

On paper, the connection makes sense: an economist keeping the books for a nonprofit. But what’s kept him is something he learned early as a volunteer, that a house is never just four walls and a roof. 

Ask him what a home really is and he’ll tell you: safety, sanitation, dignity, belonging. It is the foundation everything else gets built on: education, health, opportunity, a shot at stability.

“Seeing families receive or improve their homes really reframed my understanding of how fundamental housing is to human potential,” he says.

The housing problem you don’t see

That belief changed how he saw the housing need in Singapore too.

In a country with one of the highest home ownership rates in the world, it is easy to assume that housing hardship happens only in disaster zones, villages, and where poverty is easy to spot. Project HomeWorks, Habitat Singapore’s local home rehabilitation program that helps vulnerable individuals and families maintain safer, cleaner living conditions, put a dent in that assumption.

It showed him that housing challenges exist even in a developed society like Singapore. They may be less visible, tucked behind the doors of rental flats and aging homes, carried by lower-income families, residents who are older adults and people already living with other forms of vulnerability.

The invisible work

That’s part of why Alvin cares so much about staying power. He believes showing up, again and again, is what moves things. Volunteering gave him a close-up view of the work. Leadership meant he could help decide where the organization was headed, and stick around long enough to see it through.

It also showed him the hard work behind the scenes.

Most people see the finished house, the ribbon-cutting, the headline number of families helped. Almost nobody sees what it took to get there: the fundraising calls, the volunteer schedules stitched together, the partnerships built slowly, the governance nobody thanks you for, and the sheer discipline of keeping a mission alive.

“The builds and events are the visible outcomes of a very dedicated and hardworking team of people in Habitat Singapore, doing their best day in and day out,” he says. “I am very grateful and proud to be working with them.”

The next door

After more than 20 years, what gives Alvin hope is the next generation of volunteers. Younger volunteers, he says, are paying closer attention to housing and inequality, at home and abroad. They show up with energy, ideas and a sense of purpose.

For Habitat Singapore, he hopes the next chapter will be about deepening its role as a connector: bringing together communities, corporates and individuals to take on housing challenges together. 

Expanded impact, new partnerships, a real commitment to the people still falling through the cracks — that’s the door he wants to see opened next.

From city boy to build site

Minh describes his younger self as a “city boy”. In Habitat’s early days in Vietnam, he had not fully understood the poverty and daily challenges faced by families living in peri-urban communities.

That changed during his first volunteer engagement, when he found himself working alongside students, local community members and families. He saw families contributing their own time, strength and sweat to build better homes for themselves.

It was partnership, shoulder to shoulder.

For Minh, Habitat’s mission moved from words into something he could see and feel, in the efforts of families building their own future with their own hands.

Over the years, he would meet families carrying more than one hardship at once: a home that couldn’t withstand a storm, an elderly parent, a child with a disability, or several layers of vulnerability under one roof.

And yet, it is often the home dedications that move him most deeply.

Families, volunteers, partners and staff would gather at a newly completed home. There would be speeches and celebration. And almost always, tears.

“You could feel that the house meant much more than a physical structure,” Minh says. “It meant safety, dignity and a brighter future.”

A changing Vietnam

Minh’s home country has changed tremendously since he first joined Habitat. Vietnam’s cities have grown, its economy has developed and the communities have shifted. The meaning of home has changed too.

In the early years, home often meant basic protection: a strong roof, dry floors, safety from storms and a healthier place for children. Today, families are also weighing affordability, climate resilience, access to services, inclusion, and whether their home can support education and livelihoods.

“Home is no longer only a shelter,” Minh says. “It is a foundation for families to live with dignity, participate in Vietnam’s development and build a better future.”

That understanding shaped his years as national director of Habitat for Humanity Vietnam. Leadership, Minh learned, was about stewardship.

In difficult seasons, it meant staying close to the mission, listening carefully, protecting trust and using limited resources responsibly. Every decision carried weight because, somewhere down the line, it affected families.

A global view

After many years in Vietnam, Minh moved into a regional role with Habitat for Humanity’s Asia-Pacific Area Office. The view widened. 

Every country he encountered had its own version of the housing challenge: different disaster risks, markets, policy environments, cultures and community structures. But underneath it all ran the same thread. Decent, affordable and resilient housing remained deeply connected to dignity and opportunity. 

His regional work also showed him that strong local impact needs strong systems behind it. 

Strategy, he says, helps Habitat ask whether it is solving the right problems, reaching the right communities and adapting to the realities families face. Governance helps ensure decisions are responsible, resources are used well, risks are managed and the mission remains strong. 

Still opening doors

Returning to Vietnam as interim national director has been meaningful for Minh. It is where much of his Habitat story began. But Vietnam is not the same country it was when he first joined. The challenges are more layered now. Affordability, climate resilience, migration, urbanization, inclusion and access to services are all connected.

He has seen the organization change over 25 years. Habitat for Humanity has become more strategic, more evidence-based and more focused on systems change, advocacy, housing finance, climate resilience and partnerships.

But there is one belief he hopes will never change: that families and communities are partners, not beneficiaries.

“The door to a better future often begins with the door to a safe home,” says Minh. “I hope Habitat continues opening that door for many more families.”

The housing crisis

Back then, the housing need in parts of New Zealand was stark. He remembers large suburbs of lower-value housing where overcrowding was common, homes were poorly maintained, and damp and mold were part of daily life. The consequences were illness, stress and exhaustion. Warren recalls “appalling health outcomes”, with asthma and rheumatic fever commonplace. Families were worn down. Parents felt overwhelmed. Some had simply “lost hope”.

Much has changed since the 1990s. Housing standards have improved, regulations have been tightened and the community housing sector has grown. But Warren is clear that the pressure has not gone away. Property values have soared. Housing affordability is now a major issue in New Zealand, not only for low-income families, but for many on ordinary incomes.

Population growth has added further strain, public housing waiting lists remain high, and overcrowding has not disappeared. Housing may be healthier than it once was, but decent, affordable housing is still out of reach for too many.

The moments that stay

What has stayed with him over all these years are not the big public moments, though there have been those too. He still remembers the thrill of Habitat’s successful 1999 attempt to break the world Speedbuild record, with more than 200 volunteers building a house in three hours, 44 minutes and 59 seconds. It was, he recalls, “lots of fun” and helped build public awareness and support.

But the stories he returns to are more personal than that.

He talks about one family who had been living in “substandard, unhealthy and overcrowded conditions” before moving into their permanent home. Afterwards, things began to shift in ways that went far beyond shelter. The mother went on to earn a university degree and became a teacher. The father, a community worker, was elected to a city council community board. Their daughter, who had ongoing ear infections in their old home, stopped having them after the move.

Then there is the woman who prepared a speech for the dedication of her home she had built alongside volunteers and staff from Habitat. She laminated the page beforehand, knowing the tears would come and not wanting them to blot the words. It is a small detail that lands harder than any broad statement about impact, reminding him that when people have spent years without stability, getting the keys to a decent home can be overwhelming.

What home means

Ask Warren what home means to him, and he does not ration the answer. “It is love, safety and security, assurance, support, friendship, comfort, protection, learning, joy, laughter, belonging, nurture, growth and memory-building.” That, really, is the heart of how he sees this work. A home is the foundation for better health, more confidence, stronger educational outcomes, and families feeling less battered by life. Or, as he puts it, “The impact on the families we serve is huge and is passed on inter-generationally.”

When asked what he is proudest of, he talks about legacy: helping build something the next generation can carry forward, helping shape an organization where people are valued, respected and work as a team.

His advice to younger staff and volunteers is just as direct: “Adopt its purpose and make it your purpose.” Even now, after all these years, he remains convinced that “you can make a difference one family and one home at a time”.

In Kien Giang province, Habitat Vietnam advocated for improved construction standards in the government’s pro-poor housing program. Three affordable, durable housing models for new homes were proposed after Habitat Vietnam consulted local communities and partners. Locally available construction materials, cultural appropriateness and market prices were taken into consideration. With 30 new homes completed in Kien Giang, Habitat Vietnam aims to encourage the government to integrate more appropriate construction techniques into housing programs at the national level.

Opening the door to future advocacy

Households also gained a better understanding of land registration and inheritance processes through training on the 2024 Land Law. Such efforts open the door to future advocacy and policy dialogue on inclusive housing and land rights in Vietnam.

Over in Dong Thap province, 40 households who relocated from flood-prone areas to settle in two communes repaired their homes through grants and technical support from Habitat Vietnam. These families and the wider district communities also received training on water, sanitation, and hygiene, and how to work with local private sector actors to develop livelihood models.

Habitat Vietnam also worked with local authorities to collect data and analyze policy gaps regarding land use rights for resettled households. As a result, a support plan was developed to help families in resettlement sites obtain their land use right certificates, laying the groundwork for secure tenure and long-term stability.

Learn more about Habitat’s work in Vietnam at habitatvietnam.org.

Their family and their neighbors are among the more than 1.1 billion people around the world who live in slums and other informal settlements, and that figure continues to rise. Residents of informal settlements have very limited access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation and electricity. The poor living conditions are a physical manifestation of inequities holding back far too many families and communities.

Home Equals

In 2023, Habitat for Humanity and partners launched Home Equals, a five-year global advocacy campaign to change policies at the local, national, and regional levels so that residents of informal settlements have a safe, secure place to call home. In the Asia-Pacific region, five Habitat entities in Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and Vietnam joined the campaign to pilot advocacy and programmatic interventions to help upgrade housing in informal settlements.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s Home Equals project in Tanjung Kait worked to improve access to adequate housing in informal settlements through policy and systems change. The project helped strengthen long-term residents’ land tenure and enabled the families to upgrade their community facilities and houses. 

In Indonesia, Habitat advocated for the development and implementation of regulations to speed up the provision of decent homes and encourage use of village funds to provide adequate housing. In early 2024, this unlocked an initial US$185,333 in government funds for housing programs—potentially benefiting 14,760 people.

Komariyah became a community leader after she was trained in safe shelter principles. Together with other community members, she joined consultations and created a community action plan. It detailed steps to formalize each family’s ownership of their land, helping to overcome the lack of financial resources to buy the land and process documents to certify their ownership. To bridge the gap, Habitat Indonesia worked with KOMIDA, one of the largest microfinance institutions in the country, to customize an affordable loan scheme that allowed 87 families to each buy a plot of land and cover land certificate costs.

Unlocking land tenure security

By October 2024, 110 families—including Komariyah’s—secured legal land ownership and unlocked US$645,161 in government funds to support their access to financing opportunities for buying the land they have been living on. “Finally, we own our land,” Komariyah said.

To ensure long-term impact, Habitat Indonesia partnered with government officials to develop disaster-resilient housing guidelines and promote inclusive land ownership with both the names of husband and wife included in land certificates.

Empowered participation is at the core of the project. Community members and partners worked alongside government officials to clear the land to prepare for the construction of new, resilient housing. The government, along with private donors, built sustainable road infrastructure, drainage, clean water utilities, electricity networks, green spaces, public facilities, fish-collecting kiosks, and wave-breaking structures.

“We have never had a decent house for three generations. We now have one that’s comfortable and safe for the family,” Komariyah said. “A house is essential. It’s where we live, a shelter from heat, rain, and wind. It’s a place that protects us.”

The family Dan Peyton met in Cambodia had been living with more than their share of hardship. The mother was living with a terminal illness. The father caught rats for a living, earning just US$1 a kilogram. Their son had severe cerebral palsy. Their daughter cycled miles to school each day.

Toward the end of the build, the father told Dan something he hadn’t expected. Each night, he would wake up and find his wife standing outside their new home, smiling from ear to ear.

The mother has since passed away. But she died knowing her children would have a safe place to live.

Over the years, experiences like this have shaped how Dan thinks about impact, and what a home can make possible.

What impact really means

Dan didn’t set out to work in housing. When he was approached to join Habitat for Humanity Australia’s fundraising team over a decade ago, he knew little about the organization. “I initially assumed it was about protecting rainforests and koala habitats!”

Today, he leads impact and engagement, shaping how the organization brings in support and turns it into meaningful change, from individual giving and volunteering to corporate partnerships.

“What drew me in was how tangible the outcomes were, and how universal the need for a safe, decent home is.”

At first, that meant the physical things: a house, a toilet, a water system. Over time, he came to see that the deeper impact lies in the opportunities they create.

He recalls a family in Western Sydney who moved into their Habitat home just before Christmas, after escaping domestic violence. While most people were winding down for the holidays, they were stepping into stability for the first time in years.

“It reframed my place in this work,” he says. “Instead of focusing on the scale of the housing problem, I started focusing on the fact that for one family at a time, the change is immediate, profound and life‑altering. That shift has stayed with me.”

Carrying it home

Over the years, the work has found its way into his own life. Dan has volunteered on builds, bringing along friends and family. On those trips, he would connect his children with the families they were building alongside.

“My children have gained perspective on the world and a deeper appreciation for what they have. On many builds, I’ve called home and, through FaceTime, my kids have connected with the children of the families we’re building alongside,” he says.

“Their questions have changed over the years — from ‘Can I see your toy box?’ to conversations that show they now understand that happiness, health, and love matter far more than material things.”

On his arm is a tattoo of ten small bricks. Each one represents a family or volunteer team that has been part of his journey. “Knowing I’ve supported them in some small way is something I’m very proud of.”

Looking ahead

Years in this work have redefined what home means to him.

“Home is no longer just a physical space. It’s safety, belonging, and freedom to dream. It’s where you can relax, feel secure enough to create memories, and build a future. It is the foundation for everything else:­ opportunity, stability, and hope.”

Support, he believes, can take many forms: volunteering locally or overseas, making a small monthly donation, or speaking up for housing. Whatever the contribution, the impact can be transformational, not only for families and communities being supported, but for those who choose to get involved.

And if there is one message he hopes will endure, it is this:
“The world can feel dark at times, but my wish for the next generation is that they see the good in it and recognize that even the smallest act of support for someone less fortunate can change a life, and sometimes, change it for generations.”

In 2002, his family was among 16 families who took part in a weeklong blitz build organized by Habitat Korea. They partnered with local volunteers to construct their new homes. As Jungbae was not in good health, his wife Gunae worked alongside the volunteers, contributing almost 500 hours of her labor. A total of four buildings — each with four housing units — were built. Their community is known as the Village of Hope following a naming contest.

A healthy home sparks wider change

Jungbae used to suffer from severe asthma. He said in a 2018 interview: “After living in this house, my asthma is almost gone now. This village is located at the foot of a mountain and the temperature is three to four degrees lower than Cheonan city. There is a lot of snow in winter but the air is clean and good.”

Two decades on, he feels just as comfortable in his 51-square-meter home. “It’s cool in summer, and warm in winter.” His family spends most of their time in the living room, talking and eating together. “I feel happy because this is a home where I could stay comfortably and safely.”

There are also other positive changes. “My health improved a lot. I worked and ate delicious food more often. I was grateful that my children could go to a nearby school.”

As Jungbae became healthier, he started volunteering as a civic police officer. He continues to contribute to his community till today. Other than the civic police, he is part of the Saemaul Leaders’ Association and volunteers with the local fire brigade.

Habitat for Humanity’s Asia-Pacific meta-evaluation study in end-2025 showed safe, secure homes not only improved physical living conditions but also unlocked pathways to health, education and economic opportunities. More stable living environments were often associated with a greater sense of safety, peace of mind, and dignity. The meta-evaluation synthesized findings from 34 project evaluations conducted between 2016 and 2023 across nine countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

When asked about the future, Jungbae said, “My hope is for my family to stay healthy, for my children to marry good partners and live happy lives, and for my spouse and me to grow old happily in this home.”

He added, “I will try to live a life where I can share happiness with people through volunteer work that I can do.” Reflecting his wish, he wrote:

The original web story in Korean can be read here.

Learn more about how Habitat Korea brings people together to address the housing need.