Disclaimer - An article written by Hilti Foundation. All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author(s), not Habitat for Humanity International. June 2025

This article is the result of a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Europe and Middle East and the Hilti Foundation, a European donor that has been supporting transformative projects worldwide since 2012. 

Through this collaboration, more than 5 million people have been helped to build or improve their homes by using innovative, eco-friendly, and disaster-resilient shelter technologies. 

The Hilti Foundation’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity is grounded in five key pillars: 

1. building sustainable and innovative homes using Cement Bamboo Frame Technology, 
2. driving innovation and expanding access to affordable housing solutions, 
3. facilitating multisector partnerships to address systemic housing challenges, 
4. increasing financing opportunities for families to ensure safe and affordable housing, 
5. and engaging Hilti volunteers and tools to enhance the speed and quality of home construction. 

This article highlights one such transformative initiative in Nepal, where sustainable housing solutions are improving lives and building futures.

The monsoon rains came without mercy, flooding the floors of Reshmi’s bamboo hut. The fragile roof sagged under the downpour, water dripping onto the mud walls as she and her two children huddled in a corner. The jungle loomed just beyond their door, and with it came a constant threat as snakes, insects, and scorpions often found their way inside. Fear was as much a part of life as the extreme rains and winds.

This was not just her reality; it was the reality of millions of families across Nepal’s rural plains, where traditional bamboo homes barely stood up to nature’s relentless forces. For Reshmi, the cycle was exhausting and unending: repairing her home at least once or twice a year, only to see it deteriorate again. Resources that could have gone to her children’s education or medical care were swallowed by the constant need for repairs.

Nepal’s Housing Crisis

Reshmi’s struggles are echoed across Nepal, where nearly half the population lives in substandard housing. Traditional bamboo homes, though affordable and culturally significant, are fragile and short-lived. Withstanding Nepal’s frequent natural disasters—monsoons, landslides, and earthquakes—was nearly impossible for these structures. The 2015 earthquake destroyed over 600,000 homes, leaving families like Reshmi’s in an unbreakable cycle of poverty and rebuilding on informal land, in constant fear of eviction.

A Turning Point: Introducing Cement Bamboo Frame Technology

Change began when Reshmi’s community was introduced to a housing program utilizing Cement Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), an innovation spearheaded by the Hilti Foundation and the BASE Bahay Foundation. CBFT transforms bamboo into a durable, disaster-resilient material. By treating bamboo to resist pests, moisture, and rot and reinforcing it with modern building practices, CBFT homes could withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7-8 and typhoon winds of up to 300 km/h.

Reshmi embraced the program with hope. She helped with the construction of her new house and carried gravel, sand, and soil to the site. She even did the electrical work. “All of this makes me very happy,” she says, reflecting on her involvement.

Reshmi’s Transformation

The finished house stood sturdy and secure, with three rooms: a kitchen and two bedrooms. For the first time, Reshmi no longer feared the rains. The flooding, the fear of scorpions and snakes, and the endless repairs were behind her. “Cleaning is much easier now,” she says. 

Freed from the cycle of repairing and maintaining her home, Reshmi opened a general store and a tailor shop. These businesses thrived, and her income now supports her family’s needs, including sending her children to boarding school.

Scaling the Solution

Reshmi’s story is part of a larger movement to transform bamboo from a symbol of impermanence into a cornerstone of resilient housing. The Hilti Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has built over 850 CBFT homes in Nepal, providing stability to families across the country. Beyond individual homes, the initiative is creating a bamboo-based economy, with treatment facilities, nurseries for quality bamboo seedlings, and training programs for local builders.

“Once the new house was built, we were able to earn a living. It has given us peace,” as she put it.

As Nepal scales its bamboo construction efforts, stories like Reshmi’s reflect a profound shift. CBFT is not just about building homes—it’s about building futures. Families once trapped in cycles of poverty and rebuilding now have the stability to dream bigger, invest in their communities, and create lasting change. 

For Reshmi and countless others, bamboo is no longer a fragile material. 

It’s the foundation of a better life.

Disclaimer - An article written by wienerberger. All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author(s), not Habitat for Humanity International. June 2025

In the small village Cumpăna in Romania, the Cozma family was able to move out of their rental apartment which had mold and no working heating. Thanks to the powerful partnership between wienerberger and Habitat for Humanity, they own one of the houses built in Cumpăna and are able to offer their own three children better opportunities for the future.

A partnership rooted in purpose Since 2012, wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative and ecological solutions for the entire building envelope, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to create homes for people in need across Europe. This collaboration goes beyond bricks and tiles. It is about building resilient communities, restoring dignity, and creating a better future.

This partnership has already supported over 6,300 people, focusing on the most vulnerable and their urgent need for decent housing. In sum, over 600 housing units have been created so far by wienerberger and Habitat for Humanity International working together. The projects went beyond housing construction, encompassing the development and renovation of social facilities such as the construction of centers for people with disabilities or the renovation of schools. In the next three years, wienerberger will focus on projects in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In 2025, wienerberger reaffirmed this commitment by extending its partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. This marks the fifth renewal of a three- year collaboration, extending the relationship into 2025–2027.

From building materials to building lives

wienerberger supports Habitat’s mission by providing high-quality, energy- efficient building materials from clay blocks to roof tiles and piping solutions. These materials help Habitat projects achieve long-term durability and energy performance, particularly in areas affected by extreme weather or economic hardship.

The support extends beyond donations. wienerberger employees regularly volunteer on-site, working alongside future homeowners and Habitat teams. These shared experiences create lasting bonds and foster a spirit of community and cooperation.

Shared values, shared impact

wienerberger and Habitat for Humanity are united by a deep commitment to sustainable development. Together, they champion climate-resilient building practices, promote affordable construction, and invest in local communities. This partnership aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Whether it’s helping families in rural areas or addressing urban housing shortages, the collaboration brings practical, scalable solutions to where they’re needed most.

Housing – a crucial social challenge around the world

Safe homes are the prerequisite for healthy living conditions and new opportunities. As a leading company in the buildings sector, wienerberger bears a special responsibility in this regard. That is why wienerberger continues to support Habitat for Humanity International with product donations and innovative, resource-saving construction solutions.

Improving lives and building brighter futures as part of wienerberger’s strategy

The construction of housing for people in need is part of wienerberger’s ESG targets, as determined by its sustainability strategy. These goals are updated every three years raising environmental benchmarks further and expanding social targets. Read more about the wienerberger’s sustainability strategy in wienerberger’s Annual Report.

Looking ahead: building the future together

With growing challenges, like affordability and climate change, the need for sustainable housing solutions has never been greater. Together, wienerberger and Habitat for Humanity are committed to continuing their impact – improving lives, strengthening communities, and building brighter futures for generations to come.

Mr. Chinnaiyan watches closely as his team of masons carefully lays bricks in place. The walls of a new home are rising steadily, just as they have in the 300+ houses he has built over the years. “I used to do all the work with my own hands,” he says. “Now, I guide my workers, making sure everything is done right. But the feeling is the same—building a home means building someone’s future.”  

For over two decades, Chinnaiyan has worked in construction. He started as a helper, carrying bricks, mixing mortar, and learning the craft from older masons. Years of hard work turned him into a skilled mason, and eventually, he became a supervisor, leading a team of between dozens of workers. 

His construction company, Aishwarya Constructions, is named after his daughter. “Initially, I named it SPA Constructions, but after she was born, I changed it,” he says. “She is my biggest inspiration.”

Through his company, he has helped countless families build homes, ensuring they have a strong foundation—both literally and figuratively. 

The Changing Landscape of Construction

One of the biggest changes Chinnaiyan has seen in his career is the shift in building materials. Traditionally, river sand was the preferred choice for construction. “People believed it was the best, simply because it’s been used for generations,” he explains.  

But sourcing river sand has become increasingly difficult. Illegal mining has stripped riverbeds, leading to environmental disasters like flooding, erosion, and destruction of natural habitats. Governments have tightened restrictions, and as a result, river sand prices have skyrocketed. 

Alternatives were needed. Among these alternatives was manufactured sand, or M-sand, a material produced by crushing hard stones into fine aggregates that mimic the properties of river sand. Technically sound and environmentally sustainable, M-sand emerged as a promising option.

That’s where Aruna Blue Metals, a company founded by K. Senthil Kumar, stepped in. The company has been working to promote M-sand as a better alternative to river sand. “We saw the crisis coming,” says Senthil Kumar, CEO of Aruna Blue Metals.

When too much sand is taken from rivers, it weakens the river bed and erodes river banks and makes it harder for the ground to absorb water. Moreover, without enough sand, rivers can’t slow down water flow, leading to sudden and severe flooding especially during heavy rains. 

In Tamil Nadu, excessive river sand mining has deepened riverbeds and damaged natural drainage systems, making floods worse. For example, the Thamirabarani and Palar rivers have experienced bed deepening by up to 15 meters over two decades due to extensive sand extraction. In 2015, Tamil Nadu experienced devastating floods that affected more than 4 million people and resulted in enormous economic loss. 

These events underscore the critical need for sustainable alternatives like M-sand in construction to mitigate the adverse effects of sand mining and reduce the vulnerability of communities to flooding.

“We knew Tamil Nadu needed a sustainable, high-quality sand alternative, but breaking into the market and mainly direct customers wasn’t easy,” says Senthil Kumar, CEO of Aruna Blue Metals.

What was the biggest challenge of Aruna Blue Metals?

Convincing individual home builders and small contractors to switch. 

Most of Aruna’s early success came from selling M-sand to large developers, but the real impact would come from reaching everyday people—the families building their own homes

That’s when the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), supported by Habitat for Humanity International and Hilti Foundation, stepped in. Their partnership with Aruna Blue Metals helped address key challenges in promoting M-sand, ensuring that more people had access to affordable and sustainable building materials.

Educating Masons and Contractors About the Quality and Benefits of M-Sand

Many workers in the construction industry, including masons and contractors, were skeptical about M-sand. They believed that river sand was superior simply because it had been used for generations.  

Old habits die hard. “Many builders were reluctant to switch,” admits Mr. Chinnaiyan from his own experience from the ground. “Even when M-sand is cheaper and more consistent, people hesitated. They don’t trust what they don’t know.”  

However, TCIS helped Aruna conduct training sessions, demonstrations, and outreach programs to change this perception. They worked with local masons, contractors, and engineers to explain how M-sand is produced, its consistency in quality, and its advantages over river sand. 

These sessions reassured workers that M-sand was not just a cheaper alternative but a reliable and high-quality material for construction.

Expanding the Market Beyond Big Developers to Reach Individual Homeowners and Small-Scale Builders

Initially, Aruna’s primary customers were large developers who bought materials in bulk. However, the real impact of M-sand would be felt at the individual level—by families building their own homes and small contractors working on local projects. 

TCIS supported Aruna in shifting its business model to cater to these customers. They helped establish distribution networks, connect with retailers who sold to individuals, and raise awareness among first-time home builders. 

This expansion meant that even those building a single home could now access M-sand easily.  

Streamlining Supply Chains to Make M-Sand More Available and Affordable in Local Markets

One of the key barriers to M-sand adoption was availability. Even when people wanted to switch, they often couldn’t find M-sand suppliers nearby.

TCIS worked with Aruna to improve logistics, ensuring M-sand reached more local markets at a competitive price. This included identifying new distribution hubs, reducing transportation costs, and improving the overall supply chain. As a result, M-sand became not only a sustainable alternative but also a more accessible and cost-effective option for everyday people.

Through these efforts, TCIS and Aruna were able to transform the construction landscape—helping masons like Chinnaiyan build more homes, giving families an affordable way to achieve homeownership, and reducing the environmental damage caused by river sand mining.

The results were truly transformative. “With TCIS’s support, our M-sand sales grew by 25% in just a few months. Before 2019, our business was primarily focused on selling to other businesses, with only 20% of our sales coming from individual customers. Today, that’s completely flipped—80% of our sales now come from individuals and smaller buyers, while only 20% comes from other businesses. This shift happened thanks to our partnership with TCIS,” says Senthil Kumar. 

“More importantly, we saw a significant change in trust—homeowners, masons, and small contractors started choosing M-sand over traditional river sand which saves them precious money.”

A Sustainable Future for Housing

The acceptance of M-sand is about both affordability and sustainability. With fewer homes relying on river sand, the damage to India’s rivers can be slowed. “People don’t realize that every truckload of sand taken from a river is making future floods worse,” says Senthil Kumar. “Switching to M-sand doesn’t just save money—it protects our environment.”  

With organizations like Hilti Foundation and TCIS championing innovation in shelter, the future of housing in India is changing. As M-sand becomes the norm, more families will be able to afford quality homes and India’s rivers will have a chance to recover. 

Standing at the construction site, watching his workers put the final touches on a new home, Chinnaiyan smiles. “This house will stand for generations,” he says. “And that’s what matters.”  

One home at a time, India is building towards a stronger, more sustainable future.

TCIS and the Hilti Foundation

The Hilti Foundation supports Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) to bring affordable, sustainable housing solutions to low-income families. Together, they work to develop and introduce practical, market-based products that can improve living conditions for underserved communities. Focusing on three pilot regions—Peru (construction services), India (heat-reflective coatings), and the Philippines (walls and foundations)—the initiative aims to prove that these solutions can succeed in real-world conditions. In India, for instance, the partnership is making strong progress, helping families access cooling roof coatings that reduce indoor temperatures and improve comfort in hot climates (read more on the initiative here) or build houses with the artificial sand that is both sustainable and more effective making safe and decent houses and home for affordable for people. 

Europe is facing a troubling situation—while millions struggle with housing insecurity, many buildings remain empty. With 30 million homes in Europe sitting vacant and 900,000 people homeless each night, the need for solutions is urgent. Adding to the crisis, the building sector is responsible for up to 35% of Europe’s energy-related CO₂ emissions. Tackling both the housing shortage and climate concerns requires innovative action.  

Ana Carolina Gomes, Associate Director for Strategy and Operations at Habitat for Humanity International, is leading efforts to address this gap. At the World Urban Forum organized by UN-Habitat in November 2024, she outlined Habitat for Humanity’s plan to repurpose vacant buildings—a strategy that combines social impact with environmental responsibility. The goal is to increase affordable housing while also reducing carbon emissions.  

A proven model for sustainable housing solutions  

Habitat for Humanity’s approach builds on research-backed strategies and demonstration projects that support policy change. The process follows a structured approach:  

• research and data collection – gathering reliable data to push for policy changes. 
• demonstration projects – refurbishing empty spaces to show practical, scalable solutions. 
• stakeholder collaboration – working with governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions to create lasting change. 
• advocacy for policy change – engaging with policymakers to integrate sustainable housing solutions into national programs.  

This method ensures that solutions are not just theoretical but have been tested in real-world conditions.  

From the UK to Poland - Expanding the model  

The first version of this model started in the UK, where Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, with help from donors mainly M&G, renovated empty buildings in London. The project successfully turned vacant properties into homes and created toolkits to help local governments implement similar projects.  

Next, the project moved to Poland, where the Social Rental Agency model was introduced. Unlike in Western Europe, where rental markets are more structured, Central and Eastern Europe still faces housing systems influenced by the post-Soviet era. With less than 5% of the housing stock being affordable, innovative solutions are needed.  

Social Rental Agencies act as intermediaries, connecting private property owners with people in need of affordable housing. This model ensures sustainable housing management while preventing newly refurbished properties from becoming segregated, low-income areas. Instead, a focus on social cohesion promotes diverse tenant communities.  

A flagship project  

Building on these successes, Habitat for Humanity launched the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative, a flagship program supported by Laudes foundation and M&G, aimed at identifying scalable financial solutions. Through this initiative, several housing units will be renovated to demonstrate cost-effective, climate-friendly ways to repurpose vacant buildings.  

Key outcomes of the project include:  

• financial innovation – researching market-based funding models to ensure long-term scalability. 
• policy advocacy – Working with local and national governments to encourage the reuse of vacant properties. 
• carbon impact assessment – measuring CO₂ savings from repurposed buildings to align with EU climate goals.   

Advocacy at the EU level

Beyond local efforts, Habitat for Humanity is pushing for EU-wide reforms to make repurposing vacant buildings a central part of Europe’s housing policy. Their advocacy focuses on:  

1. A unified definition of vacant real estate – standardizing definitions across EU countries for more reliable data. 
2. Comprehensive mapping of vacant properties – conducting extensive research to identify available spaces. 
3. Awareness campaigns – promoting the environmental and social benefits of reusing empty properties. 
4. Strategic EU funding – directing resources from existing programs to speed up the conversion of vacant buildings into affordable homes.  

A path forward

As Ana Carolina Gomes emphasizes, solving Europe’s housing crisis requires collective action. Governments, businesses, and civil society must work together to transform empty spaces into homes. By using market-based solutions, building partnerships, and pushing for policy change, Habitat for Humanity is showing that sustainable, affordable housing solutions are possible.  

The vision is clear: a future where no home is left empty while people remain without shelter. With the right strategies and collaboration, Europe can close the housing gap and fight climate change—one repurposed building at a time.  

Read our manifesto on opportunities for the European Union for 2024-2029.  

Also, read the manifesto for Practical Policies for a Just and Resilient Built Environment by the Laudes Foundation Coalition.  

Last year, Habitat for Humanity International had the opportunity to participate in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Switzerland. This high-level event brought together representatives from 40 national governments, local authorities, and housing and climate experts from across the continent to explore sustainable urban solutions. We joined the forum to present one of our most transformative initiatives—Empty Spaces to Homes—a project that reimagines vacant buildings as a key part of solving Europe’s housing and climate crises.

Across Europe, 30 million buildings sit vacant while nearly 900,000 people experience homelessness each night. This stark contrast reveals both a significant problem and a tremendous opportunity. Habitat for Humanity’s Empty Spaces to Homes project, supported by Laudes Foundation and M&G, is addressing these challenges by transforming vacant buildings into sustainable, affordable housing. Rather than constructing new homes that contribute to environmental harm, the project revitalizes abandoned properties, reducing waste and tackling two urgent issues: the housing crisis and the building sector’s carbon footprint, which accounts for 35% of the EU’s energy-related emissions.

Bringing the vision to life: success in the UK and Poland

The initial phase of this project has already yielded impressive results in the UK and Poland. 

In the UK, with generous support from M&G as a main donor, the initiative has expanded beyond just constructing homes. It’s also focused on building partnerships, engaging local communities, and influencing public policy. Since its inception in 2019, by 2023 the UK project had completed critical research, forged key partnerships, and delivered its first housing projects. 

In Poland, the focus has been on collaborating with Social Rental Agencies to connect landlords with tenants in need of affordable housing. This model has proven particularly effective in Central and Eastern Europe, where the large-scale privatization of housing in the 1990s reduced the availability of public housing options. These pilot programs are laying the groundwork for broader, long-term change.

Taking the message global

Habitat for Humanity International’s participation at the UN-ECE conference in Geneva offered a unique platform to present the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative to decision-makers from 40 governments, major European cities, and climate and housing experts. These influential figures play key roles in shaping the future of housing policy across Europe. By presenting the project to such an esteemed audience, Gyorgy Sumeghy, representing Habitat for Humanity, amplified the message that Europe’s vacant buildings are not just eyesores—they’re valuable assets capable of addressing two pressing challenges: the housing crisis and climate change.

This presentation provided a powerful platform to advocate for scalable solutions that transform vacant buildings into homes, reduce carbon emissions, and help build more inclusive communities. The conference sparked vital conversations about the policy changes and long-term support needed to scale initiatives like Empty Spaces to Homes. This marked a significant step toward ensuring the project’s impact spans across Europe, shaping national policies and promoting the adoption of similar solutions continent-wide.

A call for policy change

To maximize this impact, Habitat for Humanity is advocating for key policy changes at the EU level, including:

• establishing a clear definition of “vacant real estate” to streamline data collection and decision-making.
• mapping Europe’s vacant properties to pinpoint where housing solutions are most needed.
• launching campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental and social benefits of repurposing empty buildings.
• allocating funding from existing EU programs to support these initiatives.

Changing how we view housing

Empty Spaces to Homes challenges the widely held belief that new construction is the only solution to housing shortages. Instead, it promotes a paradigm shift in how we view vacant buildings—not as problems, but as untapped resources ready for transformation into homes. 

The message is clear: Europe’s empty buildings are not liabilities—they’re opportunities. By embracing this vision, we can solve the housing crisis, reduce carbon emissions, and create inclusive, sustainable communities for the future.