Housing as a Human Right

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing…"
-- Article 25 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Rosa Milia Zamora and her family of five live in one the first four “Seed Houses” constructed in the Guadalupe Hills neighborhood of Managua, Nicaragua. After two months of living in her new home, Rosa said she still feels touched by God and “very big” living in her new home. Photo by Emily Allred.

Habitar wholeheartedly supports housing as a human right. For 18 years, this non-governmental organization in Nicaragua has provided technical support for organized groups of people constructing their houses.

Among the organizations supporting Habitar is Working Capital for Community Needs, which has donated $18,200 to Habitar during the past five years.

Recently, Habitar has focused on a new project, Programa de Viviendas Semilla, or Seed Housing Program. This program targets the housing needs of single mothers, families with disabilities and those living in extreme poverty. The basic “Seed House” model costs about $2,200, which is covered through a contribution of work from the family, a housing subsidy and a small loan the family must repay. Requiring the family to help construct their home builds a stronger personal connection to the project and investment in its success. To date, Habitar has built 18 Seed Houses.

The Seed House is 18 square meters, with one wall made of metal. Designed to grow, the structure initially has two rooms: a communal space and a bedroom. When the family has saved enough money, their Seed House can grow. The metal wall lifts and turns into a roof, doubling the structure’s size and reaching the 36-squaremeter minimum to be considered a house in Nicaragua.

During WCCN’s Jan. 16-24 study tour to Nicaragua, participants visited Guadalupe Hills, a community Habitar is working with for this Seed Housing Program. Seeing the impact of WCCN’s lending was the most powerful part of my experience as a study tour delegate. Along with Ninette Morales and Cony Rosales from Habitar, we talked with a few of the families who had received assistance to build a Seed House. Their excitement showed how thankful they were to have found Habitar. We heard about the positive impacts these houses have had on their lives, and we saw the ownership they have taken in this process. Many mentioned that their houses were the envy of the neighborhood. “How did you get this?” or “Where do I go to get one?” other community members would stop to ask them. These owners were proud because they played such a large role in the successful completion of their homes.

Impacts such as these – from a relatively small amount of resources – demonstrate the efficacy of microfinance and the importance of supporting organizations such as WCCN.

By Caroline Reddy
Study Tour participant