Hábitat Dominicana continues to reduce the housing deficit in the Dominican Republic

• More than 400 people from the Dominican Republic and abroad worked 13,246 volunteer hours building homes and supporting Dominican families.

Santo Domingo, February 2020—Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic closed 2019 with improved and new homes, positively impacting the health, safety and educational performance of more than 4,700 Dominicans through projects addressing the country’s housing deficit.

With its slogan “We empower through housing!”, Hábitat Dominicana rebuilt, improved and built new homes for Dominicans who lacked the financial resources to secure strength, stability and self-reliance.

“Everyone has the strength to improve the place where they live. The organisation’s commitment is that all Dominicans, through their homes, can improve their health and education, reduce the family difficulties caused by constantly moving house and mitigate the risks from natural hazards they are exposed to in a home in poor condition,” explains Cesarina Fabián, national director of Hábitat Dominicana.

In 2019, some 437 people from the Dominican Republic and abroad worked 13,246 volunteer hours, supporting different families in building their homes.

By creating safe and affordable housing solutions, the organisation, which began working in the Dominican Republic in 1986, has focused its efforts on reducing poverty through adequate housing.

With its 2019 housing solutions, Hábitat Dominicana has now worked on more than 27,000 homes, and aims to keep increasing the number of families served in 2020.

 

Together with financial partners, Habitat for Humanity’s programmes give Dominicans access to tailored credit with which they can build a new home, improve the one they already have, or develop a productive housing model that allows them to earn their own living.

Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

In November, the non-profit organisation will hold a unique event in the country: the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity’s historic project in which more than 104,000 volunteers from all sectors of society have taken part since 1984.

They have built, renovated and repaired more than 4,300 homes in 14 countries during the 36 previous projects, alongside former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, with the steadfast aim of improving access to affordable housing.

Previously in the region, the project was held in Mexico and Haiti. This year, the 37th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with the collaboration of volunteers and companies.