Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua

Contact information HFH Nicaragua Residencial los Robles de HSBC 25 veras abajo Aptdo 2236 Managua Nicaragua Phone: +505 22701080 Fax: +505 22707411 E-mail: hphn@habitatnicaragua.org.ni				Habitat's Work in Nicaragua New families served this year*: 339 Total homes constructed/rehabilitated: 4,154 House sponsorship cost: US$7,880
Country profile

Mission
Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua works in partnership with God and people from all walks of life, to develop communities with people of low income by building and renovating houses, so that each person has adequate housing in their community, living and growing in all that God proposes.

History
Habitat for Humanity began working in Nicaragua in 1984. Under the sponsorship of a religious group, the first construction began in the community of Germán Pomares of Chinandega. Since then, thousands of people in Jinotega, Matagalpa, Estelí, León, Chinandega, Managua, Bluefields, Carazo and Rivas have built their homes with Habitat assistance.

Housing need in Nicaragua
With more than 5 million inhabitants, Nicaragua presents a housing deficit of Between 400,000 and 500,000 units. Of the total number of existing houses, 250,000 are in need of repairs (INEC Census 2005). According to the 2005 Census, there are at least 62,609 families sharing their small space with other families, meaning that at least 313,045 people, or 6.1 percent of the population in 2005, were living under such conditions. Natural disasters, social and economic instability, migrations from the countryside to the city and the formation of new families give rise to the need for new houses every year.

Overcrowding, a lack of sanitary conditions, squatting and an increase in crime are among the side effects of inadequate housing.

Model Projects
Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua supports several initiatives, in addition to traditional home construction.

Auhya Pihni
In 2008, the Rebuilding Auhya Pihni post-disaster reconstruction project began in Nicaragua, with plans to continue through August, 2011. The project eliminates the housing deficit in Auhya Pihni, a Miskito community affected severely by Hurricane Felix in late 2007, and provides water and sanitation solutions, a feasibility study, a public education campaign and demonstration project, and an integrated water and sanitation system for the community.

Microfinance programs
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) partnering with Habitat for Humanity have designed and launched new housing microfinance programs, including a program in Nicaragua which ties the money received from remittances to home improvement projects.

Financial Education
This project is aimed at educating and accompanying partner families in the planning and administration of their home economy. The manuals and methodology used are the result of a project designed by Habitat for Humanity International and financed by Citi Foundation. Through a series of workshops, families learn to administer their income and expenses, and learn to design a budget, analyze and control their expenses, and follow a savings plan. Families are also informed about the risks and advantages of taking out loans with Habitat for Humanity or other organizations.

Complete Houses
In addition to the projects above, Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua continues to build complete homes. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, helping to build their houses and the houses of others, together with volunteers. Their monthly payments go into a Local Rotating Fund, which allows the construction of new homes.