Guam

Context at a glance

Dave and Damina, the first Habitat homeowners in Guam, gather with their children in front of their home

Guam is the largest island in Micronesia and is the peak of a submerged mountain whose base lies nearly 37,800 ft. below in the Mariana Trench. Guam is a unique combination of limestone and lava, covered with lush jungles and low hills.

The high cost of imported building materials, plus building codes designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes, mean very high housing costs. The high cost of land and housing prevents many families from qualifying for conventional financing; so they build poorly constructed, unsafe homes or spend a high percentage of their income on rent, locking them into a cycle of poverty that offers little hope of release.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Established in 1996, HFH Guam was the first non-profit homebuilder on Guam, bringing together individuals who shared the vision of eliminating homelessness and substandard housing. Houses are built using concrete slab foundations with steel-reinforced walls and roofs to withstand 155+ mph winds!

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