Housing for Tomorrow: Sustainable Solutions from Habitat for Humanity
An innovative microinsurance project in Kenya has protected 69,000 low-income households from property loss, offering affordable and essential safety nets. Credit: Habitat for Humanity
By Aishwarya Bajpai
BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS)
In the face of a growing climate crisis, the connection between housing and environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly urgent.
Habitat for Humanity International, a global nonprofit operating in over 70 countries since the 1970s, is at the forefront of this challenge.
By providing housing solutions for low-income families, the organization is tackling the twin imperatives of ensuring adequate shelter and addressing climate change.
Puja Sawhney, a Habitat for Humanity representative advocating for affordable and climate-resilient houses at COP29. Credit: Aishwarya Bajpai/IPS
Housing as a Climate Priority
The housing sector contributes to 21 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant factor in climate change discussions.
Habitat for Humanity recognizes the dual need for mitigation—reducing emissions—and adaptation—building resilience to climate impacts.
“We want to build houses that are resilient to climate change,” said Puja Sawhney, a Habitat representative. “We don’t want houses that get washed away the next year.”
To achieve this, the organization focuses on sustainable construction practices and innovative designs.
A noteworthy example is their successful use of 3D-printed housing technology in India, which demonstrates the potential for scalable, climate-smart solutions.
Empowering Communities
Central to Habitat for Humanity’s mission is community empowerment.
Through its Global Village volunteer program, the organization invites individuals from across the globe to help physically build homes.
This hands-on initiative provides volunteers with firsthand insight into the housing challenges faced by low-income families, fostering a deeper understanding of local communities and their unique vulnerabilities.
In addition to physical construction, the organization works to build the climate resilience of the communities it serves. ‘We raise awareness about the importance of tackling climate change,’ the representative explained.
This involves educating families on sustainable practices and advocating for housing policies that prioritize climate adaptation.
Finance as a Catalyst For Change
At COP29, Habitat for Humanity emphasized the critical role of finance in advancing its work.
Climate finance is essential for greening the housing sector’s supply chain, building capacity and awareness, and ensuring that homes are both adequate and affordable. However, the challenge lies in balancing sustainability with affordability.
“For low- and middle-income households and developing countries overall, the technologies needed for sustainable housing are often prohibitively expensive,” Sawhney noted.
While the organization has piloted net-zero homes in the U.S., such advancements remain out of reach for many of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
To bridge this gap, Habitat for Humanity is advocating for the inclusion of housing as a priority sector in climate negotiations. “There’s not much conversation around the housing sector.’
Sawhney pointed out. “It’s very important to have housing included as a major contributor to the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).”
By securing financing mechanisms and policy attention, the organization hopes to drive innovation and accessibility in sustainable housing solutions.
A Path Forward
With the right financing and global collaboration, Habitat for Humanity is proving that housing can be both a fundamental right and a key pillar in the fight against climate change.
In their words, “It’s not just about providing a roof over someone’s head—it’s about building a future where communities can thrive in the face of a changing climate.”
IPS UN Bureau Report