Quick facts
- Families served in 2016: 178
- Date when Habitat started working in the country: 1998
- Families served: 12,856
- Volunteers hosted: 1,932
- Housing solutions: 6,292
Habitat for Humanity in Paraguay
Habitat for Humanity works in Paraguay since 1998, providing support to more than 5,000 families in the challenge of achieving better housing conditions.
Housing need in Paraguay
According to the National Department of Housing, it is estimated that 1,100,000 houses are required in Paraguay, and that number is increasing. An estimated 43 out of every 100 families live in inadequate housing conditions, according to the Inter-American Development Bank.
The figures show that the deficits are primarily qualitative, both in urban and rural areas. Demand for housing improvement is the important part of the qualitative deficit standing at 73%; the rest is demand for expansion or demand for expansion with improvements. The figures also show that of the total of homes that require improvement, 58% have sanitation problems.
The lack of official information on the situation of the deficit is vital; likewise is it is known that progressive construction is the main manner in which most Paraguayan families have access to a house.
Habitat’s contribution in Paraguay
Throughout its history, Habitat for Humanity Paraguay has implemented actions that transform the housing conditions of families and vulnerable communities, mobilizing resources and promoting solidarity and responsibility of the whole society.
Housing solutions
From Habitat Paraguay response is given to families who, despite having a place to live, conditions that are not suitable due to problems such as moisture, lack of space, electrical connections in poor conditions or lack thereof, or lack of proper hygiene. Technical assistance for repairs, renovations and expansions, as well as access to the project “Together for Your Home” is offered for those applying for new housing construction.
Services to access home
We promote the work of local leaders, in towns, neighborhood committees, schools, churches, businesses, NGOs, etc., to influence the cause for adequate housing and reach families who need new homes or improve the conditions of those who already have one.
Volunteerism
Each year, between six and seven international groups are mobilized through the Global Village program, along with 10 to 12 national groups that help in the construction of housing solutions. In communities, volunteer committees coordinate informational briefings in their neighborhoods. In addition, administrative volunteers also work in the offices for short periods of time.
Events
During the year, we make flash constructions to raise awareness and mobilize volunteers. We encourage the participation of families, businesses, suppliers and volunteers who enjoy helping others and understand the need for adequate housing.
Meet a Habitat family
Ana Acosta and her family live in a home built with logs and plastic bags. They did not have a safe place to live or shower with hot water. “When it rained we covered ourselves with bags and had to run to the kitchen or the bathroom,” she said. This situation was the worst scenario for one of her children who suffers from asthma, because the bags covering their home were not enough to protect them from the wind in winter.
Today they are living in a home with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. It’s what the family needed to improve the quality of life. “Children now get sick less often and enjoy having a modern bathroom and even want to shower several times a day,” concluded the mother.
What you can do
You can help families in need of Paraguay living in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, by one or more of the following:
Donate: www.habitat.org.py
Volunteer: Join one of Global Village’s scheduled trips to Paraguay or organize your own brigade.
To learn more about Habitat’s programs in Paraguay, please contact:
Mary Lechenuk
Executive Director
mlisnichuk@habitat.org.py
0981-491993
Raquel Bertran
Resource Development Director
raquelb@habitat.org.py
0971-974207