Colombia

Context at a glance

A Habitat homeowner family outside their new Habitat house in Soacha, Colombia

More than 11.5 million homes in Colombia do not have satisfactory basic facilities. More than 40 percent of that figure represents inadequate housing and overcrowding, and another 20 percent of homes experience problems with public utilities. 9.8 percent of the country's low-income families live in poverty due to inadequate housing and 10.6 percent due to inadequate utilities.

Colombia's housing deficit stands at around 900,000 units, of which 200,000 are located in rural areas. That deficit has increased in the last five years due to a lack of government financing options through the usual lending institutions.

The housing shortage means that low-income families erect "cambuches" or tin huts without public services. This generates diseases such as dengue, which arises from stagnant water due to a lack of sewers. Inadequate housing also affects children's education - many cannot go to school because they do not have a home that provides them with the stability required to enter an educational centre. Usually school-age children are forced to work to contribute something to the family's limited income.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Habitat for Humanity was established in Colombia in 1991. A teacher from a rural school in Quimbaya, Quindío, became aware of our organisation through a magazine article and contacted HFH to discuss housing needs in Colombia. In 1994, the construction of the first 28 houses began in the Los Cerezos de Quimbaya neighbourhood.

HFH Colombia has five branches in Eje Cafetero, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, Norte del Cauca and Cundinamarca. Habitat for Humanity looks for support from the government, the private sector and the public, especially young people.

Habitat houses usually measure 48m², and consist of two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living-dining room and an area for drying clothes. They are designed to enable the construction of a second floor in the future.

Cement blocks and concrete are used to comply with Colombia's earthquake resistance code. The exterior is made of compressed bricks and shingles. Every house is connected to the public utilities.

The no-profit loans granted to families cover building materials and qualified labour and are paid back over 10 years. Monthly instalments include life, fire and earthquake insurance.

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