Romania

Context at a glance

The Heredea family belong to the 6.5 million Romanians living in poverty

After years of oppressive rule and a Soviet-style economy, progress toward a stable market economy has been slow and difficult. Real wages for working Romanian families have dropped by about 40%. Romania also faces the challenge of thousands of children placed in orphanages under the previous communist regime.

This economic and social legacy has left many in Romania without decent shelter. They are forced to live in cold, damp housing crowded in with others hoping for a better life. Many older wooden homes are on the verge of collapse, and broken windows are covered with cardboard to protect against the cold wind and snow. Makeshift stoves provide the only heating, and in some cases there is no access to drinking water.

Soviet-style apartment blocks present different, but no less tragic poverty housing challenges. Water leaks through the ceiling and walls causing the plaster to buckle and fall. The heating systems are regularly out of order, forcing families to create homemade and often dangerous heating alternatives. In some cases, entire floors share common, unsanitary toilet and shower facilities. According to the official statistics, 35% of total housing in Romania is in a state of complete neglect and needs urgent repairs.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Habitat for Humanity was originally invited to help in the small western town of Beius and Romania became the 50th country to benefit from its vital work. In June 2003, HFH Romania celebrated with the 100th family to experience the joy of building and owning their own home.

In order to give families in greatest need the possibility to own a home, we adapt the housing style to fit the environment in which people live. HFH builds single-family houses as well multi-family housing. In cities where the cost of land is high, we build attic apartments and renovate existing apartment units. To address a special-needs population in Romania, we renovate studio apartments where orphans and single-parent families can create a home of their own.

The size of HFH housing varies between 21 m² studio apartments and 90 m² houses for families with many children. Homes are mainly constructed using a wooden frame structure and sandwich-type walls made of thermo-insulating materials. Use of durable, volunteer-friendly materials is a priority. The average monthly payment for a HFH home is equivalent to approximately £22 and is part of an interest-free, 20-year mortgage.

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