IXL Social Enterprise Case Studies Housing January 2012 | Page 6

Revolutionizing the way to make housing affordable for everyone

working towards the goal of eradicating poverty
housing and homelessness by providing decent,
affordable housing solutions.
Christian Values that align with universal
religious and social values are part of HFHI’s
core
HFHI focuses on a mission of “…bring[ing]
people together to build homes, communities and
hope.”17
HFHI continues to stress its long-held practice of
non-discriminatory practices and unconditional
aid. A central vision for inclusiveness has been
crucial to developing an HFHI platform—one
that engages people of all faiths and no faith as
volunteers, employees, and homeowners.

Lying awake at night
Bhumika Rai and her husband had barely enough
money to live through the month. They worked every
day selling vegetables and cow’s milk, but never had
enough to save up to repair their decrepit home.
Habitat for Humanity Nepal built a new model of
sustainable, cheap bamboo for Bhumika and her
family. She says, “In the past, I could not sleep due to
the poor condition of my house. Now, I cannot sleep
because I am so happy that I have my own decent
house.”

War, Peace, and Safe Housing
Reine Asaad’s father was killed when she was just
four years old. Constant battles between Christians
and Muslims tore her village in southern Lebanon
apart. Decades later, she became a schoolteacher
and provided the only income for her family. The
family did not have enough money to repair their
home mutilated by bullet holes, filled with rubble, and
destroyed by years of violence. After being approved
for a Habitat home, groups of volunteers – Christians
and Muslims – worked tirelessly to repair the wounds
and renew the home. Reine said, “Today I am very
happy, especially with the presence of people working
with us as if it were their home… This day has
changed my attitude and perspective, and I say that
from the depths of my heart.”

Multi-faith initiatives have often been important
to developing local community partnerships.
HFHI strives to align homeowner demographics
with the general demographics of the poor with
housing needs. In many of the communities in
Egypt, for example, Christians and Muslims build
together and, in some cases, share their homes
while a family’s house is under construction.
HFHI works with homeowners based on their
level of need, their willingness to become
partners in the program, and their ability to repay
an affordable loan, welcoming people of all
races, religions and nationalities.
HFHI works around the world through
affiliates
HFHI works with a wide variety of partners
through affiliated organizations (affiliates) called
national organizations at the national level
and affiliates at the local level. These bear the
HFHI brand name and follow HFHI guidelines,
reporting measures, beneficiary determination
and accounting practices. Affiliates are
independently registered, according to local
regulations, and are responsible for their own
operations and organizational sustainability.
Affiliates are responsible for upholding
HFHI’s mission and supporting its objectives
and initiatives. HFHI has worked in over 100
countries and is currently active in over 80
countries.18 HFHI works with over 2,200 local,
regional, and national affiliate organizations
worldwide (a full list of countries in which HFHI
operates is available in Exhibit 1).19
Families who apply for houses are selected
independent of race or religion by loc