NAIROBI, October 15, 2025 — A new initiative funded by the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) is set to improve access to affordable housing finance and insurance solutions for low and middle income households in Kenya. The solutions propose to use home improvement as a pathway to enhance climate resilience and lower the disease burden of malaria and other climate induced health illnesses
Habitat’s response to this war meets affected families where they are, supporting their short-, mid- and long-term housing needs to achieve stability and recovery.
In July 2025, Habitat for Humanity Ukraine, in partnership with the Center of Local Government Studies, released an in-depth assessment of 300 multi-apartment buildings across Lviv, Zakarpattia, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts in western Ukraine.
Habitat for Humanity is committed to gender equality and sees it as fundamental for dignity, safety and a modern, inclusive society. Because gender roles are still shaped by social, historical, political and economic inequalities, we pay specific attention to keeping gender equality at the core of our work.
Read our policy papers, housing reviews, shelter reports and advocacy toolkits for a more in-depth look at our advocacy efforts.
This year, Mihaela moved into her new house, a home that she helped build alongside volunteers during Habitat for Humanity Romania’s Hope Build, a unique volunteer house-building event. In just five days in June 2024, volunteers from companies and the community came together for a so-called Hope Build. This project changed the lives of two households forever. One of these families is the Albisteanu family, led by a mother whose strength and resilience have carried her family through years of hardship, Mihaela Albisteanu. “I can’t believe it! The children will have their own space, just for them.”
Mihaela’s excitement rings out as she shares her feelings in a video from the build.
On Monday, 8 September, renovation works began at 1 Nadarzyńska Street, led by a team of 21 employee volunteers from Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Swapping their work places for paint rollers, the group traded business attire for hard hats and work clothes, following safety training before diving into four days of hands-on renovation.
On 12 August, volunteer sector experts from across Africa gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to mark International Youth Day by celebrating the transformative power of volunteering. For the first time, the African Union recognized the contributions of volunteers across the continent by launching the State of Volunteerism in Africa Report.
The report positions volunteerism as a vital driver of Africa’s development aspirations, particularly in advancing Agenda 2063. It highlights that Africa contributes an estimated 5.9 million hours of voluntary service every month—valued at over USD 353.5 million annually.
A home is where you spend Christmas, where you sleep through the night without cold air slipping in through broken windows. A home is where homework happens at the kitchen table, where families can cook, rest, feel safe, and dream together.
Without decent housing, everything becomes harder. Health, education, stability, and even relationships suffer. That is why Hope Builds in Romania, unique volunteer house-building events, are so important.