HABITAT FACTS:
- Habitat started in Chile in 2002.
- Individuals served in FY2021 – 1,825
- Through professional services – 1,825
- Volunteers hosted in FY2020 – 170
COUNTRY FACTS:
Capital city -- Santiago
Population -- 19.5 million
Life expectancy – 81 years
Unemployment rate -- 7.5%
Below poverty line – 10.8%
The housing need in Chile
Chile is a land of contrasts in terms of its beautiful and diverse landscapes, the cultural richness of its indigenous people, and the variety of immigrants who have enriched its history, cuisines, and culture. But the main contrasts are seen in the major socio-economic disparities that affect its population, which become very evident in terms of housing access and quality, and healthcare.
Due to socio-environmental disasters such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires, Chile is a country in permanent reconstruction. It has much to learn to better face nature’s challenges and reduce constant vulnerability.
How Habitat addresses the need
“Our Children Return Home” project
Coping with the illness of a son or daughter is more difficult if the place where we live is not adequate and we cannot provide the protection they need. Under the Nuestros hijos vuelven a casa or “Our Children Return Home” program, we build rooms and make home improvements so that sick children can be with their families at home during these difficult times.
Disaster response
Habitat Chile works in partnership with other institutions in response to the different socio-environmental disasters the country faces. Programs for toolkits and reconstruction work such as building of core houses, among others, have been developed for families and communities.
High-rise extensions
In the 1980s, thousands of affordable housing units were built to counter the major housing deficit during that time. Thousands of families became owners of 387.5 to 409 square feet apartments. But since the units were in high-rise buildings, the living space cannot be easily extended in a safe and harmonious way.
Habitat Chile and other stakeholders have been able to change the lives of these families by making high-rise extensions, which increase the area of each apartment and improve the buildings’ quality and architecture.
What you can do
DONATE
Donate at http://hphchile.cl/donar-ahora/
VOLUNTEER
The Global Village program was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please go to habitat.org/gv for updates, including when and where the program will resume.
TITHE
Habitat affiliates in the U.S. can establish a tithe partnership to help build houses. Write CHILE on checks sent to: Habitat for Humanity International, Attn: Affiliate Tithe, 322 West Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709
CONTACT
Habitat for Humanity Chile. General Bustamante Nº 26 , Floor 7, Santiago, Phone +56 9 838 33 854 - [email protected] , www.hphchile.cl.
