Nicaragua

Context at a glance

Example of substandard housing in Diriamba, Nicaragua

With more than 5 million inhabitants, Nicaragua presents a housing deficit of over 500,000 houses. Of the total number of existing houses, 250,000 are in need of repair. Natural disasters, social and economic instability and migrations from the countryside to the city create the need for 30,000 new houses every year. Approximately 3,750,000 people in urban and rural areas currently live in substandard conditions.

Overcrowding, a lack of sanitary conditions, squatting and an increase in crime are among some of the other side effects of poverty housing.

Affordable housing solutions represent less than 2,000 units per year and low-income families lack access to loans. The results are inadequate shelters built with low-quality, discarded materials.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Habitat for Humanity began work in Nicaragua in 1984. The first construction began in the Germán Pomares of Chinandega community. Since then, thousands of people in Jinotega, Matagalpa, Estelí, León, Chinandega, Managua, Bluefields, Carazo and Rivas have built their homes with HFH.

HFH houses measure 36 m² and are made concrete blocks and zinc sheet roofs over a metallic panel structure, with tiled floors. They have a living-dining room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen. On the Pacific side, houses are designed to resist tremors and on the Atlantic side, the impact of hurricanes.

HFH Nicaragua planned to increase the number of partner families to 5,000 by the year 2006, while trying to reach families with even lower income levels. For this purpose, "progressive houses" that are built in stages are being designed. Families can add to their house in the future depending on available funds. The monthly payments over a 10-year loan term are around £10 per family – a minuscule amount compared to rent payments, which are at least £54 a month.

Partnerships are being established to reduce the costs of materials, and an advocacy campaign is in progress to raise more funds to help more people. Large-scale purchases of materials permit lower house costs and guarantee their control and distribution.

Once the construction is finished, HFH, together with volunteer community leaders, request the installation of basic services for electricity, water and public lighting in order to create convenient and secure conditions for partner families to live in.

Back to list of countries