Why Habitat is Needed

The world is experiencing a global housing crisis

• By 2020, it is estimated the world slum population will reach almost 1 billion.
• Lack of clean water and sanitation claim the lives of more than 1.8 million young children every year.

In the United States, 48.5 million people are living in poverty

• Minimum wage is not keeping up with the rising cost of living and many workers struggle to afford decent housing.

Decent, stable housing provides more than just a roof over someone’s head

• Stability for families and children.
• Sense of dignity and pride.
• Health, physical safety and security.
• Increase of educational and job prospects.​

The transformational ability of good housing

• Clean, warm housing is essential for prevention and care of diseases of poverty like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diarrhea, and malaria.
• Children under 5 in Malawi living in Habitat for Humanity houses have 44 percent less malaria, respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases compared to children living in traditional houses.​

Housing must become a priority

• The percentage of people without access to decent, stable housing is rising.
• Increasing the housing supply across the globe is essential.
• Adequate housing is vitally important to the health of the world’s economies, communities and populations.
• If we are to succeed in the fight against poverty, we must support the expansion of housing both as policy and as practice.

Learn how Habitat is making a difference

• Habitat for Humanity International’s annual reports​