4 Charities That Build Homes To Give Poor Families A New Start

Take a second to look up at the ceiling. When’s the last time you did that without taking it for granted? 

Millions of homeless people worldwide don’t have a ceiling, or any kind of reliable housing. This lack of adequate shelter also affects their access to clean water, education and job prospects. According to Go Overseas, many of the issues that have a negative impact on communities around the globe can be attributed to the absence of basic infrastructure and facilities.

Fortunately, many organizations and dedicated volunteers are working hard to help provide access to proper housing through construction and outreach. Here is a sampling of those doing good work.

Habitat for Humanity

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is perhaps one of the most well known nonprofit builders in the world. It’s also the largest.

According to its own statistics, Habitat for Humanity has helped over 29 million people build, rehabilitate, or preserve their homes during its existence.

The organization is headquartered in Americus, Georgia, but its work has reached all around the globe.

The organization is also taking an active role in helping during the Coronavirus pandemic. For example, the Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity recently donated over a thousand N95 masks to the local public health department.

TECHO

TECHO (which means “roof” in Spanish) is a nonprofit organization that works in Latin America, mobilizing youth volunteers to help build transitional homes and create social inclusion programs.

For a short overview of the charity in action, watch TECHO supporter Olympia De Castro’s short video.

According to the numbers, TECHO has built houses for over 102,400 families in 19 countries. Its offices are located in Miami, Florida and London, England.

The Fuller Center For Housing

Founded in 2005, the Fuller Center was created by the husband-wife team of Millard Fuller and Linda Caldwell Fuller. Previously, the Fullers founded Habitat for Humanity but left the group after 29 years over philosophical differences with their previous organization.

Recently, the organization partnered with the East Alabama Medical Center to build several homes for low-income survivors of a devastating tornado.

According to the group, the Fuller Center does not accept government funds. The houses they build are sold to the homeowners at no interest and for no profit.

Building Homes For Heroes

Founded as a response to the September 11 tragedy, Building Homes For Heroes was founded with the idea of gifting a single home to a single veteran. 

Thanks to the work of volunteers, supporters, and various corporations, the group has provided 225 homes to US veterans since the end of 2019 — nearly one home every 11 days, on average.

These organizations represent just a small selection of the many great groups that provide housing to impoverished communities. It has been shown time and again that by improving people’s living situations, we can improve their future prospects. 

Thankfully, there are many fine charitable groups, nonprofits, and NGOs working to ensure that this happens.