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

Building Stability: Reshmi’s Journey and Nepal’s Bamboo Revolution

Nepal’s traditional bamboo homes have long left families vulnerable to floods, storms, and uncertainty—but a quiet transformation is underway. Through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Hilti Foundation, Cement Bamboo Frame Technology is turning bamboo into a durable, disaster-resilient solution that’s reshaping communities. Reshmi’s story shows how one innovative home can unlock safety, opportunity, and lasting change.

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How a Common Material Is Quietly Changing Construction in India

India’s rivers are paying the price for its construction boom, with illegal sand mining deepening riverbeds and worsening floods. But a quiet revolution is underway—driven by M-sand, a sustainable alternative backed by local innovators and supported by the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), an initiative led by Habitat for Humanity and supported by the Hilti Foundation. Together, they’re making it easier for families to build safe, affordable homes without harming the environment. With each new house built on M-sand, a more resilient and responsible future takes shape.

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.

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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

How Hungary’s Empty Spaces Could Become the Future of Affordable Housing

April 08, 2025

Hungary’s housing landscape presents a striking contradiction. Despite a growing number of dwellings—over 4.5 million—more than 570,000 stand vacant, while nearly 3 million people struggle with housing poverty. At the same time, the country’s population continues to shrink, creating a disconnect between where homes exist and where they’re needed most. A new research study from Habitat for Humanity Hungary takes a deep dive into this complex picture, offering an eye-opening look at how a more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable housing future might be built—quite literally—out of empty spaces.

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Unlocking the Potential of Empty Spaces in Croatia

April 08, 2025

Croatia is facing a paradox: while housing costs are rising and many young people are locked out of the rental and ownership markets, nearly a third of all homes meant for permanent residence sit empty. This contrast lies at the heart of a new research report on the country’s housing landscape—one that uncovers not just the challenges, but the untapped opportunities for creating more inclusive, sustainable communities.

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Ukrainian Financial Housing Company and Habitat for Humanity in Ukraine Join Forces for Sustainable Housing Finance

April 08, 2025

Kyiv, Ukraine (March 27, 2025) – Ukrainian Financial Housing Company and Habitat for Humanity in Ukraine sign Memorandum of Understanding for promoting sustainable housing finance in Ukraine and affordable housing for vulnerable people of Ukraine. The signing took place on 27 March in Kyiv as part of the First Affordable Mortgage Forum organised by the Ukrainian Financial Housing Company (UFHC) with the support of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

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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.

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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.   

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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Building Stability: Reshmi’s Journey and Nepal’s Bamboo Revolution

Nepal’s traditional bamboo homes have long left families vulnerable to floods, storms, and uncertainty—but a quiet transformation is underway. Through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Hilti Foundation, Cement Bamboo Frame Technology is turning bamboo into a durable, disaster-resilient solution that’s reshaping communities. Reshmi’s story shows how one innovative home can unlock safety, opportunity, and lasting change.

Read more

How a Common Material Is Quietly Changing Construction in India

India’s rivers are paying the price for its construction boom, with illegal sand mining deepening riverbeds and worsening floods. But a quiet revolution is underway—driven by M-sand, a sustainable alternative backed by local innovators and supported by the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), an initiative led by Habitat for Humanity and supported by the Hilti Foundation. Together, they’re making it easier for families to build safe, affordable homes without harming the environment. With each new house built on M-sand, a more resilient and responsible future takes shape.

Read more