Millions of Americans face a housing crisis. In fact, 5.1 million
American families have "worst-case" housing needs, forced
to pay more than half their income for housing, endure overcrowded conditions
and/or live in houses with severe physical deficiencies. While the number
of families in poverty is growing, the number of affordable rental units
is shrinking, and most families who qualify for government housing assistance
aren't receiving any aid.
Worldwide, the need is even greater. Some 2 billion people worldwide
live in poverty housing. More than 1 billion live in urban slums, and
that figure is expected to double by 2030. Many of these people earn
less than US$2 per day.
Housing problems have far-reaching consequences. The high cost of housing
leaves low-income families little money for other basic necessities
like food, clothing or health care. Substandard housing can endanger
the health and safety of its occupants, erode their hope and self-worth,
and impair their children's ability to succeed in school.
Habitat for Humanity is changing lives. Working in partnership with
low-income families to build decent homes they can afford to buy, Habitat
helps to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness. By the end of
2005, more than 1 million people worldwide will live in decent, affordable
Habitat for Humanity houses.
