Habitat for Humanity - South Africa

The work of Habitat for Humanity South Africa Habitat for Humanity South Africa views its work as comprising three components: as an investor, a builder, and a social transformer. Read why here. (Click Here)

Community Partnership

Habitat for Humanity South Africa works with communities that invite us to partner with them to help address their housing needs. A process of mutual evaluation determines whether a partnership is viable. Habitat for Humanity South Africa considers such factors as the level of need for housing in the community, support of local leadership and community stability. The national governing board approves all new projects. Habitat for Humanity South Africa currently works in three regions across South Africa. All Habitat for Humanity South Africa projects are driven by committees consisting of community volunteers. These committees are involved with family selection, homeowner education, the construction programme and monitoring of the individuals saving program. Habitat for Humanity South Africa supports the committee through training them in their roles and responsibilities, administration, house design, finance, business plans, construction programme, and record keeping. Interested in inviting Habitat for Humanity South Africa to your community or region?

Contact the existing regional offices. Family Selection:

Low-income families apply directly to the project leadership for assistance. A volunteer family selection committee reviews each application and makes home-visits to assess the housing needs of the applicants, their ability to save and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat for Humanity South Africa. Habitat for Humanity South Africa is not a give-away programme. Aside from paying for their homes, homeowners are expected to participate in group savings schemes, attend Habitat for Humanity South Africa education meetings; and provide labour on their own home and the houses of four other members of their community, in a process known as “Sweat Equity”. Habitat for Humanity South Africa does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group. Typically, Habitat for Humanity South Africa moves families out of shacks and into simple, decent and affordable houses. Click here for more detail on the selection criteria for Habitat homeowners. Homeowner Education:

All homeowner families participate in an education process that trains them in the principles of Habitat for Humanity South Africa, values formation, the construction process and building skills, budgeting and financial management, basics of homeownership and legal responsibility.

Construction:

Once a family is approved as a Habitat for Humanity South Africa homeowner, Habitat for Humanity South Africa provides the materials and technical assistance necessary for the family to build their home. Each Habitat for Humanity South Africa site is overseen by a qualified builder from the community who helps volunteers and homeowners with the construction process. A construction supervisor oversees all aspects of construction and signs off each house at completion to ensure that a high level of quality is maintained. Click here to see how you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, click here.