Habitat for Humanity International is marking 50 years of work to expand access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has helped more than 65 million people worldwide gain access to decent housing.
At a celebratory gala marking the milestone at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Centre in Port of Spain on Thursday evening, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, Jonathan T.M. Reckford, noted that its approach brings families, volunteers, donors and other partners together to build or improve homes while also addressing the wider challenges that affect housing security.
“The bad news is we have the worst housing crisis really in modern history here in Trinidad and Tobago and all across the world. That gap between what it costs to create a home and what a family can afford is the widest it’s been, and all of the costs have gone up far faster than incomes.”
Mr Reckford says addressing that gap will require greater cooperation among civil society and the public and private sectors.
As Habitat for Humanity International celebrates half a century, its local affiliate is preparing to mark three decades of service in Trinidad and Tobago, with plans to expand its impact.
The organisation began operating in Trinidad and Tobago in 1997. Its work includes home construction, repairs, training and disaster-risk reduction, with an emphasis on helping families who face barriers to affordable housing. It has also set an ambitious target to triple its impact over the next three years by reaching more families and expanding its work in community resilience.
Chairman of Habitat for Humanity T&T, Derwin Howell, said the next chapter will involve looking beyond the number of homes built and towards policies that shape access to housing.
“These questions reflect an important evolution in Habitat’s thinking, from focusing primarily on what we do to the difference we make and increasingly to how we can help influence the broader approach to housing.”
Board Member of Habitat for Humanity International Adrianne Todman said financing, disaster preparedness and the resilience of homes are also part of the effort to improve housing conditions.
“Across the United States, across the globe, there are other people like you wondering, ‘How am I going to finance this deal? How am I going to advocate? How am I going to build resilience in this housing?’ So, never feel that you’re an island unto yourself. You have a global community.”
The anniversary gala brought together supporters and partners to recognise businesses and other organisations that have contributed to Habitat’s work.