The need for affordable housing
Families in need of affordable housing live everywhere across the world: small towns, sprawling cities, your community.
Housing insecurity touches nearly half of adults at some point in their lives and compromises the well-being and development of millions of children. Frequent moves, overcrowding, and the threat of eviction or foreclosure creates stress, depression and hopelessness for far too many families.
Housing prices continue to rise rapidly, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates a need for millions of additional housing units to meet long-term housing demand.
Unaffordable housing often results in impossible choices for families, forcing them to compromise on their health care, food, transportation, safety and more to make rent or mortgage.
One of the biggest obstacles to decent, affordable housing can be securing access to land in the first place. Across the globe, urban populations have grown rapidly, often exceeding available housing. Various policies, laws and systems can also make access to land out of reach for many households and communities.
The importance of affordable housing
Affordable homeownership helps free families from instability, stress and fear and encourages independence and confidence.
An affordable mortgage or small loan means households have a chance to create savings and invest in their education. It opens the door to job opportunities and long-term career growth. A decent roof over their heads means a home as a place that protects — instead of endangering — their health.
How Habitat helps
In response to the ever-growing need for shelter in your community and around the world, Habitat works in many ways: new construction, repairs to existing homes, small loans for incremental building and home improvements, help establishing title and ownership to land, advocacy for better laws and systems, disaster prevention and recovery, and more.
However they partner with Habitat, homeowners are able to take the first step to decent, affordable housing and a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Ready to make your impact on this growing need?
Your contribution means more families can access decent, affordable housing.
