Habitat for Humanity capacity statements

Habitat for Humanity began operating in Bangladesh in 1999 and remains committed to partnering with the Bangladesh government, local organizations and communities to improve the lives of vulnerable families by removing the barriers that stand between them and a decent, healthy place to call home. Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh’s integrated, multisector approach places a special focus on sustainable housing innovations; water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH; slum upgrading; and disaster risk reduction and response.

Since Habitat for Humanity began working in Bolivia in 1985, we have helped people in the country build or improve their homes in coordination with local authorities, social organizations, the private sector and other strategic allies. Habitat’s programs in Bolivia improve living conditions, productivity and the health of families and individuals. They offer safe, affordable, sustainable, inclusive interventions that are customized to context and needs, reducing inequalities and fostering resilience to disaster and economic crises. 

Habitat for Humanity began operating in Brazil in 1992 and today collaborates with a wide range of partners, including local entrepreneurs, grassroots organizations, social movements, civil society organizations, social enterprises, and national and international organizations. Habitat helps to realize housing as a basic human right in Brazil through home construction and improvements; housing policy advocacy; improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services; land tenure security; and community capacity building through trainings.   

Habitat for Humanity began operations in Cambodia in 2003 and today works closely with the Cambodian government at all levels, along with international and local nongovernmental organizations, corporate partners and community groups. Habitat has set out strategic priorities in terms of building impact at the community, sectoral and societal levels to address political, social, economic and environmental issues that cause housing inequity in Cambodia. 

Habitat for Humanity began operating in Côte d’Ivoire in 1999. We partner with low-income families seeking safe, secure homes that have access to decent sanitation services. Habitat’s housing services in Côte d’Ivoire emphasize reaching vulnerable groups, including women, children, displaced cocoa farmers, and those living with blindness or other physical disabilities. In addition to housing construction, Habitat helps improve the living conditions of marginalized populations through access to drinking water and care for orphans and vulnerable children. We help transform communities by promoting social cohesion, community participation, and respect for cultural and ethnic diversity.

Habitat for Humanity started working in El Salvador in 1992, partnering with local organizations, the private sector, government agencies and communities to confront the barriers that prevent families from accessing a decent place to call home. Thanks to a multisector and integrated approach, Habitat has enabled communities across the country to enhance their quality of life through adequate housing solutions.Habitat’s inclusive housing programs in El Salvador focus on access to financing, alternatives for building or repairing homes, disaster risk reduction and response, and land tenure security.

Habitat for Humanity began operations in Ethiopia in 1993 and remains committed to partnership with the Ethiopian government, local organizations and communities to improve the lives of vulnerable families by removing the barriers that stand between them and a decent, healthy place to call home. Habitat’s integrated, multisector approach in Ethiopia places a special focus on water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH; slum upgrading; disaster risk reduction and response; and housing microfinance.

Habitat for Humanity began working in Guatemala in 1979 in response to the acute, long-term housing needs created by the magnitude-7.5 earthquake that struck three years earlier. Today Habitat remains committed to partnering with communities in Guatemala and with local and international organizations to improve the lives of vulnerable families by removing the barriers that stand between them and a decent, healthy place to call home. Habitat for Humanity’s integrated, multisector approach in Guatemala places a special focus on water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH; healthy housing; disaster risk reduction and response; housing finance; and housing rights and land tenure security. 

Habitat for Humanity has worked in Honduras since 1989, focusing on the social housing sector. Habitat has partnered with families to build, repair or improve homes and has supplied water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH, solutions — such as safe water supply systems, latrines, sewage systems and septic tanks — to reduce the spread of waterborne disease.

Since starting operations in Kenya in 1982, Habitat for Humanity has worked in 46 of the country’s 47 counties, both directly and through partners. Our multisector approach has provided appropriate solutions in the country through a strategic focus on financial inclusion; housing market systems development; water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH; disaster risk reduction and response; land tenure security; and energy efficiency.

Habitat for Humanity started operations in Malawi in 1986. Habitat works in partnership with households, government bodies, community organizations and other nonprofits, academia, and private companies to advance decent and affordable housing solutions. While housing is at the core of Habitat’s operations, our programs fully integrate solutions related to areas such as land tenure security and water, sanitation and hygiene services to promote sustainable and resilient communities in line with the national development plans and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Habitat for Humanity began operations in Nepal in 1997. Habitat’s programs in Nepal focus on land tenure security and housing rights for the most vulnerable; resilience to disasters and climate change; and housing market systems, including housing microfinance. Community empowerment, access to clean/safe/healthy water and sanitation, and sustainable innovations in housing technologies are also integral to our programs.

Habitat for Humanity began operations in Vietnam in 2001. As a housing-focused organization, we deliver inclusive interventions that are affordable, sustainable, customized to contextual needs, and integrated into the overall urban and rural settings. Habitat’s programs in Vietnam focus on water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH; disaster risk reduction and response; and housing microfinance.

Habitat for Humanity has worked in Zambia since 1984, partnering with low-income families on affordable housing solutions in informal settlements. Habitat started as a rural housing program in Zambia. But because of the high urbanization rate and the magnitude of challenges in urban areas, we have shifted our strategy to focus on barriers to decent housing in the informal settlements that are now home to 70% of the country’s urban population.