Despite promising growth in account ownership in recent years, 1.4 billion people remain unbanked, and 80% of them reside in climate-vulnerable economies. Financial inclusion has a critical role to
play in continuing to drive this number down while disrupting the cycles of poverty and displacement exacerbated by climate change.

Emerging data and technology-driven business solutions are also gaining force as a means to efficiently deliver services at scale in both rural and urban areas. Coupled with innovative building materials and housing techniques, these new solutions offer an opportunity to affordably address the resilience and energy efficiency of the global housing stock.

Real-world successes are demonstrating that carbon-neutral solutions can thrive beyond the borders of the world’s richest economies. This year, India surpassed both the United States and China to claim the top place on global rankings for LEED Zero certifications, with 45% of the world’s LEED Zero buildings.

Working in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and local financial services providers, SCBF found success with this approach in Cambodia by developing accessible microloans and micromortgage products that empower low-income families to construct or upgrade their homes for greater resilience. Recognizing the importance of housing finance linked to climate and migration, SCBF has also included a housing finance vertical in its 2030 strategy to address the challenges the pioneer gap enterprises face while scaling up to provide much-needed sustainable solutions to low-income populations.

The need for climate-resilient housing among low-income families is not just a pressing issue; it’s an urgent call for action. The devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities demands a comprehensive response that addresses housing insecurity and financial exclusion simultaneously. Together, we can turn the tide and empower low-income families to thrive in the face of climate change, ensuring that every person has a place they can call home — a place of safety, stability and hope. The time to act is now; the future of our planet and its people depend on it. 

Gabriela and Valentin were leaving the overcrowded house they’d been sharing with Gabriela’s parents. Before that, the family rented a small apartment that had offered independence but was covered in mold. Evelina had been hospitalized due to allergies, and the only way they could warm the studio was by steel fireplace, which presented an additional danger to the toddler.

The family reached out to the City of Berceni for assistance and learned that the city had donated land for Habitat Romania to build 12 affordable apartments and also provided free connection to all utilities to ensure that the families moving in would have access to basic services. Gabriela and Valentin were thrilled to learn they qualified for Habitat homeownership. Valentin works in construction; his supervisor and colleagues built alongside him and Gabriela.

Christmas this year will be much different for the family. Evelina is healthy and thriving. They have a puppy and are expecting their second child. They’ve put down roots and have formed close relationships with neighbors, with whom they often share meals, something deeply important to Gabriela, who feels so blessed to live in her Habitat home. “We always have to share what we have with others,” Gabriela says.

Following his release, Mustafa, alongside Abdel Aziz, his wife, and two daughters, fled to Jordan, leaving their past and three older sons behind. The war would later claim the lives of two of his sons, and the news of the third’s death in 2021 left Mustafa with a stroke, comatose for weeks, and ultimately unable to work or speak his sons’ names.

The family’s small flat in East Amman was a daily reminder of their plight, with Mustafa’s medical bed dominating the living room. The moldy walls, rusted doors and windows, and a dilapidated bathroom posed constant threats to their well-being. Unsafe electrical wiring had even sparked a fire, adding to their hardships.

Iman, Mustafa’s wife, quickly stepped into the role of provider. Emulating Mustafa’s previous work, she collected leftover bread from the neighborhood to sell as animal feed. “The restaurant owners all know me now. I walk for around 5-6 hours each day to collect the bread and bring it back home,” she shared, her resilience shining through. At home, Abdel Aziz’s joyful rolling towards his mother upon her return became a daily ritual. Meanwhile, Hayat, the eldest daughter, made the selfless decision to leave school and care for her brother and father. “It was going to be either me or my younger sister,” Hayat explained, determined to protect her sister’s educational opportunities.

In their mission to support families in need, Habitat for Humanity Jordan intervened, turning the Abdullah’s flat from a place of struggle to one of security and comfort. The organization replaced the inadequate fixtures and installed energy-efficient lighting and water-saving taps, reducing the family’s financial burden and improving their quality of life.

The Abdullahs’ journey is one of courage in the face of adversity and of a family’s love triumphing over the loss. Abdel Aziz’s heroism and Hayat’s sacrifice underscore a story not just of survival, but of the enduring human spirit.

Their home, though marked by the passage of time and persistent dampness, stands as a testament to their ability to face life’s adversities together. The mold, a stubborn opponent, is met with Marius’s efforts to protect the family’s health, particularly that of the youngest, Filip.

The Cretu family endures their daily challenges with grace. Financial burdens loom, yet Andreea and Marius work diligently. Their dedication is mirrored in their children’s passions—Denisa’s art, Eduard’s dedication to football, Stefania’s folk singing, and George’s drumming reflect a family that finds richness in life beyond material wealth.

This year, the family participated in Habitat for Humanity Romania’s Hope Build in Ţuțora commune, Iasi county. In just five days, the community came together to help the family realize their dream of a new home. Here, the family saw a tangible piece of their future taking shape, not just through the rising walls but also through the spirit of unity and support that volunteers from around the world brought. As these volunteers laid bricks and mixed cement, they were building more than houses—they were crafting foundations for new beginnings.

Denisa, their 16-year-old daughter, is particularly moved by the outpouring of support. Her opportunity to volunteer alongside teams from diverse backgrounds is more than an act of service; it’s a learning experience, a way to be part of something larger that resonates with her family’s quiet persistence. The Hope Build represents the shared journey towards a home that embodies the stability and security the Cretus have always strived for.”

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.”

Recognizing the widespread desire for improved living conditions in Albania, Fondi BESA, with support from Habitat for Humanity’s MicroBuild Fund, introduced a new housing loan product in 2021. This initiative faced initial challenges, as Alma from Fondi BESA notes: “We’d had the product for more than a year, but we were hardly disbursing any housing loans.”

The pandemic and the similarity of this new product to existing loans were significant barriers. However, MicroBuild’s technical assistance, focusing on product differentiation and staff training, marked a turning point. “It makes me happy that now we can serve these clients with better loan terms,” Valbona remarks.

In a small village on the outskirts of Tirana, the capital, we encounter the tangible impact of these efforts in the life of Mereme’s family. When Jersika, a loan officer at Fondi BESA, visits her client Ergil, Mereme, his mother, insists on a unique ritual: rubbing her foot across the doorsteps. Doing this, Mereme says, will help Ergil find a wife faster. This small act reflects Mereme’s deep desire to see her son settle down and start a family.

Mereme and her husband, Bashkim, live in a modest, three-room structure surrounded by smallholder farms. In stark contrast, adjacent to their home is Ergil’s new house, a testament to modern architecture with its clean, whitewashed walls and a freshly laid tile patio. This new structure symbolizes a significant shift from the family’s humble beginnings.

The family initiated the house construction four years ago but faced financial constraints, buying materials only as funds allowed. When Jersika first met them six months prior, the house was incomplete, more a shell than a home. “I saw their house was still incomplete, and I went to talk to them,” Jersika recounts. Her intervention, through Fondi BESA’s housing loan pilot, was timely. “The loan helped us speed up the building process,” Mereme confirms, detailing how they could swiftly purchase doors, windows, and a roof.

Jersika and Fondi BESA didn’t stop at just providing financial assistance. They worked closely with Ergil, advising on energy-efficient materials and construction techniques. This guidance included insulating the roof and walls, significantly reducing the family’s energy usage and costs. The benefits were felt immediately.

The family’s aspirations for Ergil’s home extend further. “The foundation was built to support two stories,” Jersika explains, highlighting the potential for future expansion. Mereme, with optimism and a touch of humor, adds, “Yes, with our next loan, we might even add a second story.”

In this evolving narrative, the story of Mereme’s family is a microcosm of Albania’s journey towards improved housing. It exemplifies the transformative power of dedicated support and the enduring spirit of families adapting to and shaping their futures.

After being picked up from the airport by Habitat for Humanity Romania’s team, the family was taken to a hotel where they were arranged to stay for four nights. In the hotel lobby, they recounted their experience.

The family later relocated to a UN-protected school, crowded with 7,000 people seeking safety. They slept in a classroom with around 100 other people, on just blankets and mattresses pulled from the ruins.

“With no electricity, food and water were scarce; I was only allowed to drink water in the morning, and sometimes I had to drink seawater out of sheer desperation,” Asma recalls.

On November 7, the family received news that they would be relocated to Romania. Before leaving, they returned to their destroyed home to salvage essential items like clothes, shoes and important documents. Just minutes after leaving, another rocket struck nearby, narrowly missing them.

The family was evacuated through the Rafah border in Egypt, then to Cairo, where they waited for 13 hours before arriving in Romania. Habitat for Humanity Romania’s team was there to welcome them as part of its partnership with the State Department for Emergency Situations. The organization’s support includes the provision of emergency shelter in hotels, cash assistance for rent, and a social rental program with ready-to-occupy apartments.

Now safe in Romania, Khaled and Asma are focused on building a new life. They are determined to find employment and enroll their children in schools, drawing strength and hope from the resilience and compassion that Hanan’s name represents.

More than 220 evacuees have been repatriated to Romania so far, many of whom have family in the country. Habitat Romania has been focusing on the most vulnerable groups, helping them secure temporary shelter, in line with Habitat for Humanity’s Pathways to Permanence approach.