Habitat for Humanity: Mexico Earthquake response

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. 

Habitat for Humanity Mexico is currently supporting earthquake-affected families in 22 municipality regions and 72 communities in Chiapas, Mexico City, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla. Habitat for Humanity Mexico is working on the following activities: 

• Building houses directly, as well as in partnership with 10 Mexican partners. The construction of the houses are complemented with capacity building initiatives aiming to improve the knowledge of families of how to build back safer and security in the construction site.
• Out of the 1,257 families that will access a new house, 349 (27%) are currently under construction and 13 (1%) have been completed.

While Habitat for Humanity Mexico is making progress, some challenges remain. For example, the cost of construction materials has risen 50% and there is a lack of skilled labor available. Despite these challenges, Habitat for Humanity Mexico is working to build back stronger.