In 1988, Habitat for Humanity began working in the communities of Dexthi Alberto, Chihuahua, and San Pedro Capula, Hildago. Once it was legally constituted as a Civil Organization in 1990, it developed a more extensive presence that today covers 17 states and is one of the largest Habitat programs in all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Many of Habitat Mexico’s programs address health risks as a crucial and intentional side-effect of home improvement. The “Sanut” project provided fuel-efficient stoves, in order to reduce the amount of smoke inhalation from cooking.
Contact Information
Our Focus
Habitat México builds in rural, semi-urban and urban areas. The average house is completed in roughly three weeks, measuring between 42 to 49 m². In compliance with urban housing code requirements, Habitat houses in cities measure the minimum 60 m² and have electrical and plumbing installations.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Although Mexico has a strong economy; more than half of the Mexican population currently does not have economic means for buying or constructing adequate housing. Of the employed population (about one third of Mexicans), 7 million earn less than the minimum wage. Ten million make less than two minimum wages a day. This means that more than half of Mexico’s employed population makes US$30 dollars a month or less, yet these workers support half of the nation’s families.
Government estimates state that one million families live in substandard housing, but these calculations do not include the many families who rent rooms or live cramped inside another family member’s home, as do many of the families that Habitat for Humanity serves. When considering these families, Habitat for Humanity Mexico estimates that the housing need rises to a staggering two million families, or about 10 million people.
In addition to the projects above, Habitat for Humanity Mexico continues to build complete homes. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, helping to build their houses and the houses of others, together with volunteers. Their monthly payments go into a Local Rotating Fund, which allows the construction of new homes.
This project is aimed at educating and accompanying partner families in the planning and administration of their home economy. The manuals and methodology used are the result of a project designed by Habitat for Humanity International and financed by Citigroup. Through a series of workshops, families learn to administer their income and expenses, and learn to design a budget, analyze and control their expenses, and follow a savings plan. Families are also informed about the risks and advantages of taking out loans with HFHM or other organizations.
Relevant Publications or Studies
None noted
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Health improvement: Many of Habitat Mexico’s programs address health risks as a crucial and intentional side-effect of home improvement. In the projects “Grupdesec” and “Alternativas”, Habitat Mexico built septic tanks for the treatment and storage of water. The “Sanut” project provided fuel-efficient stoves, in order to reduce the amount of smoke inhalation from cooking. In another project, antibacterial floors and dry latrines were assembled in partnership with the Government of Aguascalientes and the community.
