Habitat for Humanity's Disaster response

 Disasters have cause many losses and require help from outside communities.

The mission of Habitat’s Disaster Response
To develop innovative housing and shelter assistance models that generate sustainable interventions for people vulnerable to or affected by disasters or conflicts. In addition, Disaster Response builds the capacity of the global Habitat community in the areas of disaster mitigation, preparedness and recovery through education, training and partnerships.

More than 50,000 families worldwide have been assisted my Habitat for Humanity.
 

Longstanding Affordability Crisis Hurts Families

A bill called The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 will finally help fix the longstanding affordable housing crisis.

These living situations are in many instances not a matter of choice, but a matter of no other choice. They reflect an affordable housing crisis that has many Americans paying far too much to keep a roof over their heads—51 percent of low-income renters and 43 percent of low-income homeowners in 2007 spent more than half their income on housing. The economic downturn certainly doesn’t help matters. Elevated rates of unemployment, long-term unemployment, and underemployment are greatly harming these families as many find themselves unable to keep up with mortgage and rent payments.

Those at risk of losing their housing and doubling-up include:

• Those affected by faulty loan products, who have been removed from their homes via foreclosures while also losing what savings were invested in the home.
• Families who have a history of housing stability but who are one financial disaster—losing a steady job or facing drastic reductions in work hours—away from going over the edge.
• Those who regularly lack housing stability in good economic times and bad. For these families—which are disproportionately headed by single mothers—frequent evictions, doubling up, and/or living in homeless shelters are a way of life.

Developing Communities with Affordable Housing

Knowing that a large number of people can barely afford to buy the necessities they need to live a quality lifestyle because are paying more than 50 percent of their income on housing, inspired me to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. One of the things I like about Habitat for Humanity is the fact that they make candidates for low income housing contribute "in the sweat category by agreeing to work 300 hours on building their home."

Day 2

Day 2!! Was so much better than day 1. We came properly dressed with plenty of layers, and got to do more than just nailing in wood. We helped Steve put wood used for the roof on the forklift, measured wood for the roof, and knocking out unnecessary blocks of wood. I had fun during the lunch break, listening to stories. Walking on wood blocks above solid ground was thrilling and although i was forced to obtain a few scrapes, it was all worth it! I definitely plan to go back and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, but when the weather is warmer.

Day 1

 Day 1! With my fellow classmate Lindsay, went to Habitat for Humanity! It was cold, and windy, and we did not come prepared for the wretched weather. We were greeted by Steve, the man in charge of the whole site. He was a very cheerful and charismatic soul that quickly got us started on helping with the houses. The house we worked on was roofless, and we had to work on ladders in puddles of water. All day we nailed in small metal braces into the the wood around the base of where the roof would be. A long day of hard work and frigid air, but it was worth it!

Habitat Houses: Construction

Habitat houses are well constructed. Durable, clean, and sustainable at low costs. The construction focuses on: sustainable building, energy efficiency, and safe as well as healthy housing.

Habitat Houses

Simple. Decent. Affordable.
Habitat houses in North America

Habitat houses in the United States and Canada are typically built using wood frame construction, Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs. Some affiliates also use proven alternative building materials such as adobe or straw bale construction.

U.S. and Canadian Habitat houses are modestly-sized by North American standards. Habitat’s guidelines dictate that a 3-bedroom Habitat house may have no more than 1,050 square feet of living space. 

Habitat houses around the globe 

From the tropical islands of the Philippines to the mountains of Chile, Habitat builds houses designed for the local setting. International affiliates build with locally-available materials, reducing costs and making it easier for homeowners to maintain the houses.

Habitat for Humanity: Aid to homelessness

For community service, I will be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity at Bay Point. I thought it would be a great experience and a lot of fun! Habitat for Humanity builds houses for homeless individuals or less fortunate families. Habitat houses are simple, decent, and affordable. They stress the importance of a clean, decent, and stable housing. Building homes has helped with families: being able to provide stability for their children, a family's sense of dignity and pride grow, a family's health and security, and educational and job prospects increase. Habitat for Humanity builds houses for less fortunate individuals all around the globe. I'm really excited to give back and gain new experiences!