Home Equals…

Guatemala City, (October 4, 2023) – Habitat for Humanity Guatemala joins the five-year campaign, called “Home equals…”, which seeks to change local, national and global policies so that those living in informal settlements improve their access to adequate housing.

According to United Nations data, more than one billion people in the world reside in slums and other informal settlements. These represent more than 50% of the 1.8 billion people worldwide who lack adequate housing. If we look at the regional level, this organization estimates that more than 95 million people live in informal settlements in Latin America and the Caribbean; while other organizations, such as the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), raise the figure to more than 120 million people.

In Guatemala, according to data compiled by government agencies and civil society organizations, it is estimated that at least 40% of the population does not have adequate housing. This housing deficit is not only a lack of a roof over their heads, but also includes problems related to quality, accessibility, overcrowding, lack of basic services such as drinking water and sanitation, and the precarious conditions of habitability and safety of existing housing.

In that sense, during the XV National Housing Forum, an event where strategies and innovative solutions to address the housing deficit and move towards the achievement of affordable and sustainable housing, Habitat for Humanity Guatemala partners, public and private organizations and special guests joined this campaign, “Home equals…” is already active in more than 35 countries around the world.

Over the next five years, the “Home equals…” campaign will seek to improve people’s lives, through secure tenure, empowered participation, improved climate resilience and access to basic services, we can address poverty, improve health and education, promote racial and gender justice, and support economic growth for all.

Individuals who want to join the “Home equals…” campaign can learn more at https://www.habitat.org/home-equals including how to engage their voice in support of a more equitable world.


Contact:

Diana Reyes, Communications Coordinator

Habitat for Humanity Guatemala

Phone: 4740-6428

DReyes@habitatguate.org

Latin American authorities analyze climate change and its effects on housing in the region

Colombia, July 2023. Under the premise that Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world, authorities and climate change experts meet this week in Bogotá to analyze current effects of the climate crisis on housing in Colombia and the region. Participants will also learn about affordable and resilient solutions to reduce the current housing deficit, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This analysis will take place during the 5th Housing Forum, a regional event organized by Habitat for Humanity and convened through the Urban Housing Practitioners Hub (UHPH). Colombia’s Ministry of Housing, City and Territory, the Secretariat of Habitat and the Bogotá Mayor’s Office are co-hosts. Participating during the three days of the forum will be representatives of the United Nations, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), private sector, academia, civil society, community leaders, local and regional governments, and others.

Colombia was selected as the venue for the 5th Housing Forum as a regional reference and laboratory of policies and important intersectoral initiatives linking housing and environment, public and private sector, aimed at building more sustainable and efficient housing and habitat. Bogotá is the city venue for the event thanks to its leadership in housing and habitat, and programs for housing access and improvement that have been promoted through the Mayor’s office and District Secretariat of Habitat.

Latin American situation

According to IDB, 45% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean does not have an adequate place to live. This means people are living in homes built of precarious materials with little resilience to climate change, lacking basic services, many with dirt.

Ernesto Castro, area vice president at Habitat for Humanity in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Housing is a pillar for the sustainable development of a community, a people, a nation. Efforts need to be redoubled to address the current climate and social crisis, with urgent measures for adapting to climate change through more resilient and safe settlements in compliance with the New Urban Agenda. At Habitat for Humanity, we are clear that we’re called not just to reduce the housing deficit. We must also do this in a sustainable way, adjusting to the reality imposed by our planet. What we’re facing is a challenge of enormous proportions, with serious consequences for those who are most vulnerable. A challenge we cannot tackle in isolation, we must do this together with others,” said Ernesto Castro, Area Vice President of Habitat for Humanity, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and more are a reality millions of Latin Americans face in their homes every year. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), indicates that worsening climate change and the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have stalled decades of progress against poverty, food insecurity and inequities. In addition, ECLAC

calculates that in 2022, the value of all damage and economic losses related directly or indirectly to disasters in the region amounted to $1.789 billion.

“A much more comprehensive view is required on the part of governments. It is very important to make a transformation in public policy on housing and habitat. There is nothing more important for quality of life than access to clean water and sanitation. The aim is access to adequate housing under a new public policy model that has to do with management, recognizing the importance of community water organizations, and understanding how public resources from the national government should be directed toward investing in housing improvement and new housing, in joint work with the private sector and in understanding how the construction of habitat construction should move forward,” stated Catalina Velasco, Minister of Housing, City and Territory in Colombia.

Celebrating Habitat for Humanity’s decision to choose Bogotá as venue for the forum’s fifth edition, Bogotá Mayor Claudia López Hernández went ahead and welcomed the participants arriving from different countries, presenting a complete panorama of the city’s process of economic and social recovery after the pandemic, and explained that a main focus has been on women.

“That’s why our housing policy included the design and implementation of housing solutions for vulnerable, low-income households (equal to or less than US$ 495 a month) in rental, purchase, upgrade or incremental housing modalities. Through these solutions, we delivered more than 12,000 subsidies, 72% to households headed by women,” explained the mayor.

The current housing crisis affects the most vulnerable sectors of the population above all, among them women, migrants, ethnic groups, young people and the elderly. Day after day they experience the effects on health, on security and on their lives from not having a safe place to call home. Given this situation, the forum is being held so that authorities are able to recognize urgent climate and social challenges in housing and habitat, as well as to share and propose innovative, scalable and responsible solutions addressing climate change, and summon the commitment, investments and resources the emergency demands.

“At UN-Habitat we believe meetings like the 5th Housing Forum are vitally important in the process needed for socioeconomic recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the post COVID-19 context with a global crisis that also affects the region. In our organization we’ve identified housing and habitat-related issues as one of the priority areas for action and intervention, and one of the priority public and private investment areas important to promote,” indicated Elkin Velásquez, regional representative of UN-Habitat for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event will also include an examination of 12 innovative initiatives that strengthen housing in the face of climate change effects, and which will receive recognition during a special award ceremony as the winners of the 2023 UHPH Inspiring Practices contest. This competition is held every two years to acknowledge and showcase housing initiatives that, through innovation and collaboration, help improve the quality of life of low-income families in the region.

The 5th Housing Forum is held with the support of The Hilti Foundation as global presenter and sponsored by regional partners such as: the Whirlpool Corporation, Grupo Argos, UN-Habitat, Development Bank of Latin America, Swiss Contact, World Vision, the International Habitat Summit-Latin America and the Caribbean, Miyamoto, Eternit and Asociación de Empresas Inmobiliarias del Perú. Previously, the forum was held virtually from Costa Rica in 2021, in Dominican Republic in 2018, Mexico in 2015 and Colombia in 2012.

Yanida Acevedo – Izabal family farms

The Maldonado family, a resident of the village of Swich Quebrada, Morales, Izabal, was selected for a project to build and deliver family chicken coops to the community.

Until that time, one of the family’s greatest difficulties was to have stable economic resources. This difficulty resulted in the family’s inability to purchase nutritious food.

Through the family chicken coop, the lives of Yanida and her family changed for the better. This project allowed them to have a sustainable source of eggs and chicken meat for self-consumption and sale, transforming their nutrition and strengthening the family’s ability to generate more income.

By creating sustainable change, we can become agents of transformation, uplifting communities and building resilience. We extend our deepest gratitude to the SK2 Fund, which has made this project a reality for the Maldonado family and countless others like them. Your compassion and support have planted seeds of hope and empowerment in their hearts.

 

Together we can continue to nurture a future where all families can thrive and prosper.

“On behalf of the community, we thank you all for providing us with this project. May God bless us.” – Yanida Acevedo.

barbara salvatierra – usumatlan water tank

Barbara Massiel Salvatierra is a mother of 4 children who has been the beneficiary of a home in Colonia Skipper Habitat in Usumatlan, Zacapa. Barbara’s life has been marked by resilience and determination to create positive change in her community. She saw and experienced firsthand the challenges that arise from the lack of basic necessities such as potable water. These circumstances motivated her to seek a better life for herself, her family and neighbors in the community.


Barbara’s journey took a significant turn when she became a beneficiary of a Habitat for Humanity home. The opportunity provided her with a safe and affordable place to live, ensuring stability and security for her family. The Habitat house not only improved her living conditions, but also instilled in Barbara a sense of empowerment and hope.

Recognizing the importance of access to clean, safe drinking water, Barbara actively participated in a new project initiated by Habitat for Humanity. She took on the responsibility of representing the interests of her community and acted as a liaison between Habitat and the residents.

The completion of the water reservoir project brought transformational changes to the Barbara community. Previously limited and unreliable access to water was replaced with a steady supply of potable water, improving sanitation, hygiene and the overall well-being of all residents.

Barbara’s story serves as an inspiration to others as it shows the transformative power of collaboration, advocacy and the pursuit of a better quality of life for all.

Tithe Tour 2023

Through Habitat for Humanity’s tithe program, U.S. affiliates and national organizations worldwide, are asked to contribute 10% of their unrestricted revenue to other Habitat programs around the world, in order to support Habitat’s global mission of everyone living in an adequate and dignified place they can call home.  

Every year, the International Resource Development team takes time to visit some of the Habitat offices that donate their tithe to our national programming, in order to strengthen our relationships. We hold meetings and activities that allow us to share with others about our work in Guatemala, and, most importantly, to thank and present the tangible results of their contribution and partnership.  

During the first week of June, Habitat Guatemala had the opportunity to resume the annual Tithe Tour, in which Delorean Randich, National Director, Vanessa Brombosz, Director of International Resource Development, and Celia Enriquez, Tithe and Global Village Coordinator, visited 5 tithe affiliates on the US East Coast; HFH of the Charlotte Region, Asheville Area HFH and Avery County HFH in North Carolina, HFH Choptank in Maryland and Sussex County HFH in Delaware.

 

This opportunity has given us the chance to strengthen bonds with our international partners and discuss how tithe contributes to the growth of our families and allows us to maintain this principle of generosity and collaboration that transcends borders and languages. 

We thank each affiliate who welcomed us to their offices and look forward to continuing our efforts to build homes, communities and hope, and impact more Guatemalan families, together. 

Heydi López Leiva – Chicken Coops, Izabal

Heydi Lopez and her family reside in the village of Swich Quebrada, Morales, Izabal where they recently embarked on a life-changing journey with the help of Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. The family had long been struggling to make ends meet and provide a stable income for their household. However, their lives took a positive turn when they received the Chicken Coops project. 

Habitat for Humanity recognized the potential of the community and Heydi’s family to become self-sufficient through poultry farming. They collaborated to design and build suitable chicken coops. The project not only aimed to improve their income but also to provide a sustainable source of food for the family. 

The Lopez family’s lives have transformed significantly. They now have a steady source of income from selling eggs and meat, which has helped them become financially independent. The additional income has enabled them to improve their living conditions. 

Moreover, the chicken coops have provided a sense of empowerment and purpose for Heydi and her husband. They take great pride in their work as poultry farmers and have gained valuable skills and knowledge in the process. The project has instilled in them a strong sense of self-reliance and determination to create a better future for their family. 

Thanks to the SK2 Fund’s support and the commitment of the Lopez family, their lives have undergone a remarkable transformation. From struggling to make ends meet, they are on their way to self-sufficiency, resilience and hopeful for the future. The chicken coops project has not only provided them with sustainable income but has also empowered them to build a stronger, more prosperous life for themselves and their children. 

Meet our bricklayers! – Manuel Felipe

Manuel Felipe (Don Manuel) is 60 years old, and with his wife they raised 8 children. Seven years ago, one of his sons invited him to participate in the construction of wood-saving stoves for Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. Since then, Don Manuel has been working with us not only in the construction of stoves, but also in other Habitat projects such as sanitary latrines and houses in different parts of the country, together with families and volunteer groups.

Don Manuel always had the dream of building his own house and once he achieved it, he realized that he loved building and that this allowed him to help other people who needed support in their search for decent housing and services.

Don Manuel mentions that what he likes most about working with Habitat is “the idea of building dreams for future generations”. He also loves being able to work with the national and international volunteer brigades, because of the experiences and learning that they acquire together.

Don Manuel says he is very grateful for the opportunity Habitat gave him to be part of its team of masons – “I love to build, and I am in love with my work”.

María López – Chicken Coops, Izabal

The López family, residing in a close-knit rural community of Izabal, was chosen to be a part of the Chicken Coop project. The family had long struggled to meet their nutritional needs and faced economic challenges. However, with the introduction of the chicken coop, their lives underwent a remarkable transformation, not only improving their own nutrition and economy but also positively impacting the wider community. 

Before the chicken coop project, the López family often faced food insecurity, with limited access to nutritious meals. The chicken coop provided them with a consistent supply of fresh eggs and poultry, enhancing their diet and ensuring they had access to essential nutrients. As their nutrition improved, their overall health and well-being flourished, enabling the family to thrive and be more productive in their daily lives. 

Beyond the family’s own prosperity, the chicken coop project had a ripple effect on the entire community. By sharing their surplus eggs with neighbors and participating in the local market, the family became a catalyst for positive change. Their improved economic situation inspired other families in the community to pursue similar ventures, leading to a collective boost in the local economy. The chicken coop project not only transformed the López family’s future but also fostered a sense of unity and empowerment within the community, creating opportunities for growth and self-sufficiency. 

The story of the López family serves as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the profound impact that support can have on individuals and their surroundings. Through the chicken coop project, not only did María’s family witness a positive shift in their own lives, but they also became beacons of hope for their neighbors. Their journey of improved nutrition and economic stability has become an inspiration, reminding us that by investing in the well-being of one family, we can sow the seeds of progress for an entire community. 

“We are very grateful for this project. May God bless you and multiply what you have given us.” – María López