Photo: Mother and daughter reading a book together, Uganda

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Habitat for Humanity Europe, Middle East and Africa

The latest housing updates

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Transforming Lives with Cool Roofs. Real Stories from India

In this article, we dive into the real-world impact of Excel CoolCoat. From Sakuntala’s family to others across India, see how this cooling solution has transformed homes, providing comfort and peace during sweltering heat. Learn how partnerships and innovative marketing are making these life-changing solutions more accessible to low-income families.

How Excel CoolCoat is Making Life Cooler in India

Excel Coatings is leading the charge in transforming homes across India with its affordable, sustainable cooling solution, Excel CoolCoat. This innovative product is helping families combat extreme summer heat, offering relief without the high cost of air conditioning. Discover how this simple, eco-friendly solution is reshaping the way millions live through the hottest months.

New Homes Mark Fresh Starts for Struggling Families

Every home holds a story, and for many families, the journey to finding a safe and secure place to live is filled with incredible challenges. In 2024, Habitat for Humanity organized hundreds of volunteering activities across our network all over the world, bringing hope and support to countless communities. In Romania in particular, over 270 dedicated volunteers helped transform lives through 3 big accelerated volunteering build events called Hope Build. As part of these efforts, eight families moved closer to their dream of having a home they can call their own. On this International Volunteer Day, we celebrate the resilience of these families and the generosity of those who built alongside them.

Photo: a women and two children from Zambia sitting on stairs in front of their house

Africa

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

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Inside a flat in Lebanon - two girls and their mother reading a book together

The Middle East

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

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Europe

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

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Press releases

The Association for Microfinance Institutions in Kenya and Habitat for Humanity International partner to unlock affordable housing finance solutions in Kenya

September 12, 2024

Nairobi (September 2024) - The Association for Microfinance Institutions in Kenya (AMFI-K) and Habitat for Humanity International’s Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) have entered a partnership to reduce Kenya’s critical housing deficit and improve housing finance access for low- and middle-income families.

Habitat for Humanity and Umdasch Group Extend Partnership to Build More Homes and Empower Communities

September 10, 2024

Bratislava (September 15, 2024) — Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce the continuation and expansion of its partnership with Umdasch Group, an Austrian-based global leader in construction and retail solutions. After a successful collaboration last year, Umdasch Group has decided to extend the partnership until the end of 2024, incorporating new subsidiaries and scaling up its volunteering efforts.

Habitat for Humanity strengthens its operations in Ukraine with new branch to support reconstruction and housing needs

September 09, 2024

Kyiv, Ukraine (September 9, 2024) – Habitat for Humanity, a global leader in affordable housing and community development, is proud to announce the official opening of its new branch in Ukraine. This expansion comes at a crucial time as the nation faces an unprecedented need for housing reconstruction and development following the ongoing war and displacement. The new branch will focus on providing safe, affordable housing, rebuilding damaged homes, and enhancing community resilience through local partnerships and advocacy for effective housing policies. It will prioritize the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and low-income families, and will work closely with local NGOs, private sector, and local authorities to ensure that reconstruction efforts align with sustainable development goals.

Habitat for Humanity and Grundfos Forge Global Partnership to Address Housing and Water Challenges in Brazil

August 18, 2024

BRATISLAVA (August 19, 2024) – Habitat for Humanity and Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, are excited to announce a new global partnership aimed at improving housing conditions and water access for vulnerable communities in Brazil. This partnership will focus on empowering local communities through innovative solutions that address both social and environmental challenges.

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Building capacity for greater impact

Valbona Xhafa, regional manager at Fondi BESA, emphasizes the deep cultural value placed on homeownership in Albania: “We Albanians are very sensitive about our houses. We all want to [own] houses. That’s what it means to live well.” This widespread desire for better living conditions drove Fondi BESA to introduce a new housing loan product in 2021, backed by an investment from MicroBuild. The initial rollout of this product faced challenges, as Alma notes: “We’d had the product for more than a year, but we were hardly disbursing any housing loans.”

Building capacity for greater impact

“We used to have very small apartments,” Alma Mushi says of Albania’s Communist period from 1944 to 1991. Alma serves as deputy marketing director for Fondi BESA, Albania’s largest microfinance institution. “In my father’s house, there were eight or nine people living in two rooms and one kitchen. Everyone was living like that, with two or three sons (and their wives) in the same small apartment.”

Uniting through building: Habitat for Humanity's volunteer effort in Romania

Dozens of corporate professionals from all around the world. Different backgrounds. Different experiences. But united for the same cause. To help build houses with families that deserve a new beginning.

What you need to know about the Africa Housing Forum

The first Africa Housing Forum is rapidly approaching, and we can’t wait to lead off the discussions on the future of African cities. This hybrid event will take place both virtually and in-person at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya on 12 – 14 May 2022.

Housing Poverty in Romania: A New Housing Model

Habitat for Humanity Romania has recently launched a pilot project which aims to find the most cost-effective housing solution. There have been 6 buildings already built. Is it possible to build a house in 5 days? Find out more in this episode with our guest Roberto Pătrășcoiu - national director of Habitat for Humanity Romania.

Climate Change and Housing: How Must Our Homes Adapt

Climate change affects all areas of our daily lives. Recent study published by The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change says that Climate change is already affecting every inhabited region across the world. Do our homes need to change or has the process already started? How can we save energy? This and much more in the first episode of season 2 of Home Sapiens Podcast with our speaker Besim Nebiu.

What is a slum?

In episode 3 of our podcast series, we talk about informal settlements in Africa with Charles Witbooi, Program Head for Advocacy and Volunteering Engagement at Habitat for Humanity South Africa.

Studying by candlelight

Episode 5 is driven by young enthusiasts. Linus Wahome, founder and CEO of ManPro Systems Ltd, shares his childhood and school memories . As a family of three tried hard to provide best conditions for their children, Linus and his siblings had to share one candle while doing their homework. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.

Equality in an unequal society

Episode 4 brings up the issue of gender equality. We take a closer look at customs and traditions in Lesotho. Stories of women evicted from their homes are typical in many communities in this country. Fungai Mukorah, national director of Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, walks us through women’s experiences and their fight for shelter.

Understanding housing in the Middle East and the impact of the Syrian crisis

Almost a decade since the start of the Syrian crisis, the hardships and suffering of millions of Syrians continues. More than half the Syrian population has been displaced, and over 5 million are registered as refugees in neighbouring countries.

COVID-19: Housing at the Center

Since COVID-19 pandemic first broke out in China in December 2019, affecting over 199 countries to date, it has brought the plight of poverty, inequality and the lack of services and opportunity into the spotlight and underscored one glaring reality.

Measuring and Reporting Social Impact

Ethical Corporation by Reuters Events hosts a one-hour webinar with senior leaders sharing their practical ideas on how to approach measuring and reporting social impact. This discussion is moderated by Heather Alner, EMEA Resource Development Director, Habitat for Humanity International.

Stories

Habitat for Humanity Europe, Middle East and Africa

The latest housing updates

from Habitat for Humanity

Stories from Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Press releases

All stories