Our work around the world

Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 62 million people throughout 70 countries around the world build their lives on their own terms through safe, affordable housing.  

We partner with families to build, repair and finance their homes. We’re constantly innovating approaches to make sure home is within reach for more of us. We advocate for policies that open doors to housing for all.  

With people at the center, we create a lasting impact in communities across the world. Take a look at where, together, we’re building better futures. 

Connecting families with the resources they need in Peru

Many families in Peru build their homes gradually, making improvements only when their budgets allow. For some, the process can take decades. And without access to professional builders or quality materials, many households are left living in unsafe conditions.

That’s why Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter developed a solution with partners throughout the construction industry. The Guardian Constructor program connects families with trusted businesses across the homebuilding process, including material suppliers, electricians and lenders. Through this network, families are able to access technical support, quality materials and flexible financing.    

As a result, thousands of Peruvian families have built or improved their homes to professional standards – and in months instead of years. We continue to expand this valuable program, bringing in new partners and tailoring services to meet even more families where they are.

Improving health and safety through smokeless stoves in Lesotho

Many families in Lesotho rely on traditional stoves with open flames for daily cooking and heating. But these stoves can pose serious risks. The open flames expose families to smoke that, over time, can lead to serious, even life-threatening illnesses. They’re also significant fire hazards.   

Many families in Lesotho rely on traditional stoves with open flames for daily cooking and heating. But these stoves can pose serious risks. The open flames expose families to smoke that, over time, can lead to serious, even life-threatening illnesses. They’re also significant fire hazards.   

Habitat Lesotho has partnered with families to develop a practical solution: New Habitat homes come equipped with solar-powered, smokeless stoves that, in addition to being safer, use fewer resources. 

These stoves eliminate the long-term negative health impacts of indoor air pollution, lower fire hazards and cut carbon emissions. Additionally, because the stoves run on solar energy, even rural households can use them when electricity is unaffordable or unavailable entirely.

With nearly 1,000 stoves in Habitat homes across the country, families are able to live healthier lives and are free to redirect resources. 

Helping displaced people create stability

In response to a European Union call for member states to help those displaced from Gaza, Habitat Romania has worked to offer both short-term and longer-term housing solutions. 

In cooperation with government institutions, national and international humanitarian organizations, and community partners, Habitat Romania has helped 69 people find homes, including those who have required medical evacuation, and offers resources as they adapt to life in a new country, seek jobs, enroll in training and build a new chapter. 

Growing a network of better-equipped builders in the Philippines

Because homebuilders in the Philippines often don’t have access to quality, standardized materials for new construction and repairs, many families live in structurally unsafe housing, leaving them vulnerable to floods, cyclones and earthquakes.

To help address this everyday reality, Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter partnered with the marketing company BrandBucket Ph to co-design a program that could better equip and empower builders and homeowners.

The program incentivizes participating hardware stores to offer quality materials and construction workers to purchase and use them. Store staff also nominated construction workers to attend an inaugural workshop focused on cost-effective, high-quality building materials. Based on the response, future training will include more construction technologies and tools. 

Creating a growing network of better-equipped construction workers and homebuilders means hundreds of safer, more resilient homes. This is another way we strengthen housing and communities and help families live more securely.

Learn more about where we build