Chile

Context at a glance

The Valencia family were the first Habitat homeowners in Chile in September 2002

The most recent National Socio-Economic Characteristics Survey (2000) produced some alarming results. Close to 21 percent of the Chilean population live below the poverty line. In the Atacama region, the proportion rises to 24 percent. In 2003, the housing deficit was estimated at 1,164,629 homes.

The Department of Housing and Urbanisation runs several housing programmes for different segments of the population. But, according to the Department of Planning and Cooperation, these programmes are not well implemented and often require a down payment that many Chileans cannot afford.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Thanks to the desire of a group of local residents to help families living in poverty, a Habitat for Humanity programme was started in Chile. In 2001, the fledgling programme began selecting partner families and building in Caldera, in the northern Atacama area.

HFH Chile has since branched out to three other communities: one near the capital, in Los Andes (which started building in 2004), and the others in the south, in Nueva Imperial and Villarrica, which are known for their large Mapuche indigenous populations. These rural areas are amongst the poorest in the country, with just over 32 percent of the population living in poverty.

The design of Habitat houses depends on their location and the available construction materials in the region. For example, cement blocks are used in the north, and wood in the south. The size of the houses varies from 20 to 55 m², depending on the size of the family.

Quality and ease of construction are guaranteed through the use of highly durable materials, natural light, ventilated and integrated interior spaces and easy-to-use self-construction plans. Habitat houses are affordable and raise the architectural standards applied to houses for low-income families in Chile.

HFH Chile currently uses two different programmes to fund its construction projects: the traditional long-term loan, or a loan that incorporates housing subsidies from the government. Monthly payments for a 10-year loan never surpass £31 or roughly 20 percent of a family's monthly income.

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