Housing poverty in Paraguay

11,945 people served in FY18
581 volunteers hosted in FY18
Projects: mobilising resources, training, housing solutions

We seek to eliminate housing poverty in Paraguay by providing resources to make housing solutions possible for families who cannot afford traditional loans.

Since 1998, we have supported more than 4,500 families.

Inequalities

In Paraguay, thousands of farmers and indigenous families have been expelled from the land through corruption. More than 85% of the land parcels greater than 500 hectares (1,235 acres) are owned by just 2.6% of landowners.

This polarisation of land tenure is accentuated year after year and directly relates to the housing situation.

Slums

An estimated 1.1 million houses are needed in Paraguay, according to the SENAVITAT 2011- PLANHAVI Report, and this number grows every year.

In addition, 43 out of 100 families— 39% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas — live in an inadequate house, according to a report by the Inter-American Development Bank.

The need for homes

Lack of access to soft credit for housing and the rural exodus — mass migration from rural to urban areas — are the main reasons families are living in unsafe and overcrowded houses. These situations are producing a rapid growth in the housing deficit.

How we address housing poverty in Paraguay

We are committed to supporting families who cannot afford traditional housing loans by granting credits for the construction of houses…

We are committed to supporting families who cannot afford traditional housing loans by granting credits for the construction of houses at a low cost.

Habitat Paraguay also provides technical assistance to help build and repair homes and offers construction materials at an affordable cost.

Families repay loans to Habitat over time through affordable mortgages.

Key facts & figures

Capital: Asunción
Proclaimed independence: May 14-15, 1881
Population – circa 7.35 million
Urbanisation – 62.8%
Life expectancy – 78.37 years
Unemployment – 5.7%
Poverty line – 23.5%

Housing solutions and raising awareness

One of the biggest challenges facing Paraguay is the qualitative housing deficit that affects more than 870,000 families. These families have a place to live, but their home is not adequate because of moisture leaks, a lack of space, poor or no electrical connections, or inadequate sanitation.

We respond to these needs with technical construction assistance for repairs, renovations and expansions. For families in need of new houses, our local team provides access to the Juntos por tu Hogar (Together for Your Home) project with Vision Bank.

During the year, we hold blitz builds to raise awareness and mobilise volunteers. We encourage the participation of families, businesses, suppliers and volunteers who enjoy helping others and understand the need for adequate housing.

Volunteering in Paraguay

Each year, our team mobilises between six and seven international teams through Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village programme, along with 10 to 12 national teams that help with construction.

Within communities, we have volunteer committees who coordinate informational meetings in their neighbourhoods. Volunteers and interns also work in our office, and other volunteers come through Habitat for Humanity’s International Volunteer Programme.

We promote the work of local leaders — in towns, neighbourhood committees, schools, churches, businesses, NGOs, etc. — to influence the cause of adequate housing and reach families who are in need of new homes or improvements to their housing conditions.

Within communities, we work with volunteers known as community agents — leaders who are committed to transforming their community and who allow us to approach them.