Everyone has a nice place to live in a world like this.
In Asia-Pacific, there is an urgent demand for sufficient housing options. According to UN figures, this area is home to half of the world's poor - those living on less than US$1.90 a day. One in every two slum residents lives in Asia-Pacific, despite rising urbanization. A person who lives in Asia-Pacific is also five times more likely than someone who lives elsewhere to be affected by a disaster, increasing the risk of death. A person living in Asia-Pacific is also five times more likely than someone living abroad to be affected by a disaster, increasing the risk of losing their home.
We empower ourselves by providing shelter.
Habitat for Humanity began as a grassroots movement in 1976, driven by the belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live, and has now grown to become a prominent worldwide NGO working in more than 70 countries. Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has helped millions of individuals in the Asia-Pacific area construct or modify a house. Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam are among our countries of operation.
Habitat's Operation
Habitat for Humanity has been bringing families, volunteers, donors, and supporters together for decades to build good houses that provide the groundwork for a better life. Working in a diverse region like Asia-Pacific needs creative and collaborative solutions to complex housing issues. We need people-public-private partnerships to enhance access to adequate and affordable housing and to create more inclusive housing markets.
Taking advantage of collaborations
Habitat for Humanity collaborates with all sectors – community, government, private sector, and civic — to make a real impact in the lives of people by providing sufficient, affordable homes. Volunteers are sometimes referred to as Habitat's "hands and hearts." Others provide finances or make a gift, while international volunteers on Global Village projects or local volunteers at construction locations donate their work. There are also some that offer technical assistance, as well as many more who advocate for the need for good housing.
Volunteer leaders on the Asia-Pacific Development Council are among our dedicated champions. They offer strategic leadership and direction for Habitat for Humanity's program and resource development projects in the region. They are influential in the business and philanthropic sectors.
We think that today's young are the leaders who will enable us to build cities and human settlements that are inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. Young Leaders Construct is a Habitat for Humanity program that encourages youngsters from all around the Asia-Pacific region to take the lead and inspire their peers to build houses and communities on Habitat build sites and/or online. The teenagers also generate finances and awareness for sufficient, affordable housing, as well as lending their voices to the cause.
Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing to families in need through the generosity of individuals and in-kind donations. We provide households with inexpensive lending solutions by partnering with microfinance organizations. We accelerate multi-year, multi-component community and sector development initiatives for greater impact by collaborating with foundations, organizations, and institutions.
In 2018, Habitat for Humanity celebrated 35 years of creating strength, stability, and self-reliance in the Asia-Pacific area via housing. Zhimin's father had worked with Habitat to build a new home in Guangzhou, southern China, more than ten years ago. Zhimin intends to construct another floor to the house now that he is a parent, so that his two girls may have their own rooms. “I am really delighted that my children are growing up in a safe and clean environment,” he says. They won't have to go through the hardships I did when I was younger.” We empower ourselves by providing shelter.