Honduras

Context at a glance

The Morales family is pictured in front of their Habitat house. "We're happy with our home. Above all, we're thankful to Habitat for the opportunity to build with them."

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Before 1998, Honduras had shown moderate economic growth as a result of government reforms. However, following the devastation left by Hurricane Mitch, its economy is still recovering. The agricultural sector, which accounts for most of the country's exports, was the worst affected. Not to mention the devastating effect on the people of Honduras with 6,000 dead, 8,085 missing and 75,000 homeless.

After Hurricane Mitch, the housing deficit increased from 63 percent in March 1998 to 66 percent in March 1999, representing an increase of 165,000 houses. According to reports published in 1999, 66 percent of the houses in Honduras are considered to be substandard. These homes are made from cardboard and plastic and house four to ten people in a single room. Due to poor sanitary conditions, cases of diarrhoea and dysentery are very common, with families at risk from many other diseases besides.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Habitat for Humanity's work in Honduras began in Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Cortés, in the Yure river valley, in 1988. Operations continue to grow and there are now five regional offices reaching more than 50 communities.

Habitat houses in Honduras consist of two bedrooms, a living-dining room, a kitchen and a toilet. The walls are made of concrete block reinforced with steel and the roof is made of corrugated aluminium-zinc sheets. There are shutter windows and polished concrete floors.

Families are offered two options – one house measuring 48 m² and the other 36 m². The first model has been used for almost 14 years and the second one was recently introduced with great success, to reach families with even lower incomes.

Back to list of countries