a house is a home

Somfy, a French leading designer and producer of automated controls for doors and windows, and Habitat for Humanity started a pilot project in Brazil to improve the living conditions and quality of life of single mothers back in 2014. Following the successful pilot, the partnership expanded to six countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Lebanon, Poland, and the US and in total helped almost 200 families. Somfy is committed to helping as many people as possible to gain access to decent housing through A HOUSE IS A HOME program of the Somfy Foundation.

Here are some highlights of the partnership:

Poland - Two families benefited from the Somfy – Habitat for Humanity partnership. One of them is the family of Jozefa. For many years, the family has been dreaming of moving into a new house but could not realize their dream. Jozefa’s husband died tragically, and she was not able to provide proper care for the family. Thanks to the kind support of the Somfy Foundation and Somfy Poland, the whole family of three generations lives now together in a safe place of their own. 

Brazil - Somfy has supported more than 20 low-income female heads of households in the largest slum of São Paulo - Heliopolis. Women are offered financial help and technical advice on basic house repairs. With a stroke of paint, a new aeration or a new floor, the sanitary condition of these families have improved. 

Lebanon - The war in Syria caused 1,5 million people to seek refuge in Lebanon. The partnership program between Somfy and Habitat for Humanity helps improve living conditions of refugees from Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and other places, living in Beirut.
The project targets unhealthy dwellings; both slum-like apartments as well as makeshift housing, which poses threats to residents. The project rebuilds individual homes, upgrades community areas and trains the beneficiaries on construction skills.  
 
China – In China Habitat for Humanity and Somfy renovated homes for two elderly couples in Shanghai.

USA - Somfy US joined forces with Habitat for Humanity to build four new homes in Highstown, New Jersey. As the first step, the volunteers from Somfy North America installed a fence to ensure safety. The employees also offered their expertise and helped the local Habitat office with pro-bono marketing and IT advisory. 

Australia – The number of homeless people in Sydney have been growing over the past years. Somfy Oceania and the Somfy Foundation wanted to do something about this problem. We have teamed up to provide financial support to furnish five apartments for people who have previously experienced homelessness at Martin Place in Sydney. Habitat for Humanity works with the city of Sydney’s family and community services and maintain five social housing units, which can accommodate homeless people.

The Somfy Foundation and Somfy subsidiaries around the world support Habitat projects not only with donations, but also with volunteering as they help to build houses and provide professional expertise. The Somfy Foundation and Habitat for Humanity are committed continue the partnership in 2018 and beyond.