Photo: Mother and daughter reading a book together, Uganda

Stories

Habitat for Humanity Europe, Middle East and Africa

The latest housing updates

from Habitat for Humanity

Lessons from Africa: ADH-funded WASH for Food Security programme

After nearly 18 months of implementation across six African countries, the WASH for Food Security programme funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) through Habitat for Humanity Germany is generating valuable lessons that extend beyond individual country projects. Across six Habitat for Humanity National Offices in Africa, teams are testing different approaches to WASH, food security and climate resilience, while building a shared body of learning that can strengthen programmes across the region.

Read more

Opening doors to decent housing in Tanzania: Building on 40 years of partnership and impact

For 40 years, Habitat for Humanity Tanzania has worked alongside multiple partners including communities, government, donors, civil society and the private sector to open doors to decent housing for more families in Tanzania. On September 30, these partners came together in Dar es Salaam to celebrate four decades of impact and look ahead to the next chapter of transforming lives through housing. The testimonies shared at the celebration highlighted the difference access to decent housing has made for families and communities. The celebration also marked Tanzania’s local activation of Habitat for Humanity’s global Let’s Open The Door campaign, bringing more people and partners together around a shared ambition: a Tanzania where every family has access to safe and decent housing.

Read more

Rebuilding after disaster

In July 2024, a devastating landslide struck Kencho Shacha Woyza Kebele in Ethiopia’s Gofa Zone, claiming lives and destroying homes and essential infrastructure. Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia joined the recovery effort in Burda resettlement village, working alongside communities, government authorities and partners on housing, water and hygiene interventions.

Read more

Stories from Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Africa

In Africa we empower low-income people to build a better life for themselves and their children.

Learn more

The Middle East

Our mission in the Middle East is to build a safe and stable environment where families and communities can thrive. 

Learn more

Europe

More and more people in Europe face problems to find a decent place to live. We help to make homes affordable.

Learn more

Press releases

From Japan and New Zealand to Dobšiná: Nearly 20 volunteers will travel thousands of kilometres to support children in Slovakia

October 05, 2026

DOBŠINÁ/BRATISLAVA – October 2026 – Instead of taking a holiday, they are picking up work gloves, saws and paintbrushes – and dedicating a week to helping others. Nearly 20 volunteers from eight countries will travel to Dobšiná in early October to help renovate the premises of the Domček Parent Centre, which has been supporting children and families at risk of generational poverty for the past 13 years. The volunteers will come from as far away as Japan, New Zealand and Australia, as well as Denmark, Germany, Poland, Ireland and Croatia.

Read more

What do people give up to afford a home?

October 05, 2026

[BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — 5 October 2026] — A new Habitat for Humanity study finds that people around the world are cutting back on food, using savings and changing plans for the future to afford housing.Three in four people surveyed worldwide said they had cut at least one expense to afford housing. One in three spent less on food; nearly a third used savings or emergency funds, and 31% took on extra work. Nearly half, 48%, worry that one unexpected problem could threaten their housing security.

Read more

Habitat for Humanity joins Transforming Invisible Buildings project to advance affordable housing through building reuse

September 17, 2026

(BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – 17 September 2026) — Habitat for Humanity is contributing to the Transforming Invisible Buildings project, which has been underway since February 2026 and is helping cities turn vacant and underused buildings into affordable, energy-efficient homes. The partnership builds on Empty Spaces to Homes, our flagship initiative helping European cities put unused buildings to work for people who need a decent place to live. 

Read more

London Opened the Door and the Conversation Followed

June 08, 2026

For two remarkable days, Covent Garden became a gathering place where reflection, conversation and connection unfolded through art, storytelling and shared experiences. On May 29–30, Habitat for Humanity’s global public art installation Let’s Open the Door arrived in London, transforming one of the city’s busiest public spaces into an immersive experience exploring what home means, why it matters and why everyone deserves one. As one of only two international cities selected to host the campaign outside the United States, London joined a global movement that has already inspired audiences in New York, Washington D.C., Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago. Through striking artistic doors, real homeowner stories and opportunities for public participation, the installation invited thousands of people to consider a simple but profound question: What does home mean to you?

Read more

All stories

Happy and healthy in a Habitat home

The moment their Habitat for Humanity home was completed, Gabriela, Valentin and their 2-year-old daughter, Evelina moved in – even though it was Christmas Eve. “We were so excited to start the new year in our home,” says Gabriela. So excited, in fact, that the young family only brought a mattress and Christmas tree with them on move-in day.

Read more

Finding Laughter Again: Syrian Family's New Life in Jordan

  In 2012, Mustafa’s typical day as a cab driver in Syria took an abrupt turn. During a routine exchange with a passenger about the ongoing war, he made a passing jest about a statue of the Syrian president. This offhand remark led to his arrest and brutal imprisonment two days later.   

Read more

The Cretu family: building more than a home

In the modest embrace of their Holboca commune apartment, the Cretu family finds joy in the simple things: the children’s daily tales from school, shared meals, and laughter. Andreea, a nurse, and Marius, a construction worker, have built a life that honors commitment and love.

Read more

ComAct shortlisted for the EU Sustainable Energy Week Award

On September 26, 2022, ComAct partners participated in the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Award Ceremony after having been selected as one of the three finalists in the local energy action category. In total, twelve outstanding projects, chosen by an expert jury for their innovative approach to energy efficiency and renewables, have been competing in four categories.

Read more

“Your house is your home.”

At the sound of sirens, three-year-old Marta ran to her mom and grandma’s side, begging them to help her get dressed and put her shoes on so she could run to the bomb shelter. But there was no need. The family was safe in Warsaw, Poland.

Read more

Join Europe Housing Forum 2021 online

The Europe Housing Forum 2021 takes place online on November 16-19, 2021. The importance of housing as a driver of economic growth and sustainability in human settlements will be one of the central discussions during the Forum. The Europe Housing Forum aims to bring together different stakeholders to discuss solutions to complex housing problems in the region. Sessions take place in the afternoons.

Read more

Rebuilding Beirut: Supporting the most vulnerable

A devastating blast ripped through the Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020 destroying entire sections of the city. Officials estimate that more than 170,000 people live in homes that need to be reconstructed. A year later, investigation findings have not been disclosed and no one has been held accountable.  

Read more

Generous Support in Difficult Times

The high school in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, usually volunteers with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program. With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, there was no way they could travel to the build site. Many students know how important a decent home to protect against diseases. They decided to raise and donate funds to Habitat for home construction. In these difficult times, the school collected 16,000 USD to support Habitat programs in Lebanon and India.

Read more

2020 – Homes, Communities, Hope, You

Even as COVID-19 significantly impacted Habitat’s ability to build at full capacity — and likely will continue to do so in many locations well into 2021 — we still have seen great progress and positive results. In fiscal year 2020, we helped more than 5.9 million people build or improve a place to call home.

Read more

Lessons from Africa: ADH-funded WASH for Food Security programme

After nearly 18 months of implementation across six African countries, the WASH for Food Security programme funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) through Habitat for Humanity Germany is generating valuable lessons that extend beyond individual country projects. Across six Habitat for Humanity National Offices in Africa, teams are testing different approaches to WASH, food security and climate resilience, while building a shared body of learning that can strengthen programmes across the region.

Read more

Opening doors to decent housing in Tanzania: Building on 40 years of partnership and impact

For 40 years, Habitat for Humanity Tanzania has worked alongside multiple partners including communities, government, donors, civil society and the private sector to open doors to decent housing for more families in Tanzania. On September 30, these partners came together in Dar es Salaam to celebrate four decades of impact and look ahead to the next chapter of transforming lives through housing. The testimonies shared at the celebration highlighted the difference access to decent housing has made for families and communities. The celebration also marked Tanzania’s local activation of Habitat for Humanity’s global Let’s Open The Door campaign, bringing more people and partners together around a shared ambition: a Tanzania where every family has access to safe and decent housing.

Read more

Rebuilding after disaster

In July 2024, a devastating landslide struck Kencho Shacha Woyza Kebele in Ethiopia’s Gofa Zone, claiming lives and destroying homes and essential infrastructure. Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia joined the recovery effort in Burda resettlement village, working alongside communities, government authorities and partners on housing, water and hygiene interventions.

Read more