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What is Habitat for Humanity
Trinidad and Tobago? Habitat for Humanity
International is a nonprofit, non-sectarian housing
organization, demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ
in partnership with families in need, without
discrimination according to religion, race or tribe.
HFHTT seeks to eliminate poverty housing and
homelessness from the world, and to make decent
shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Habitat for
Humanity Trinidad and Tobago was begun in 1997 under
the leadership of Clive Pantin of the Foundation for
Enhancement and Enrichment of Life FEEL. In that
same year it completed its first house within that
same year using funds donated by the British High
Commission, Ingrid Guerra of Guaico and her two
children were the recipients. HFHTT is a country
affiliate of Habitat For Humanity International
headquartered in Americus, Georgia, USA, the area
office for Africa and the Middle East is located in
Pretoria, South Africa. However, the actual work of
Habitat is carried out at the community level by
affiliates/clusters that have been officially
approved by the HFHTT Board of Directors. The
members of HFHTT’s Board of Directors are volunteers
from all walks of life in Trinidad and Tobago who
share a deep concern for the problems of poverty
housing.
What is a
national
organization? At the community or
district level there is a local committee that
oversees house construction and family selection in
their community. The local community
affiliates/clusters, volunteers and donors within a
country form the national organization, which is
supported by a national steering committee or board.
Working within the guidelines of the principles of
HFH and the policies of the International Board of
Directors, the national board provides leadership,
vision and accountability for the national program.
A national office
provides administrative support to the national
board and the affiliates. It also assist local
affiliates to raise funds; select homeowners;
mobilize volunteers; coordinate the construction of
houses and act as catalysts to create and foster
community mobilization and empowerment teams while
pursuing these goals. Homes are built with donations
of money, materials and gifts in kind from
individuals, religious organizations, foundations,
embassies, private corporations and local/ overseas
workgroups.
How is Habitat for Humanity
funded? Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and
Tobago is funded by the organizations fund raising
activities, corporate and individual donors who are
concerned with the devastating effects that
sub-standard housing imposes on the health, security
and well-being of children and families with limited
opportunities. Nonetheless, Habitat for Humanity is
not a give-away program. Homeowners are required to
repay their loans, however interest is not charged
for the Habitat loan. The house payments go into a
revolving Fund for Humanity, which is used to fund
more houses in the community. The homeowner
understands that he must repay his loan so that
other house could be built.
How are the houses
constructed? Generally it takes between
2-3 months to build a complete Habitat home. All
HFHTT houses are built according to plans
pre-approved by the Town and Country Planning
Division. The average two-bedroom Habitat house in
Trinidad and Tobago measures 22 x 24 square feet,
with the three-bedroom structure measuring 31 x 24
square feet. The structures are built with concrete
blocks with steel roofing profile covered with
aluzinc roofing sheets. All the homes are complete
with electricity, running water, indoor plumbing and
washrooms. House costs are kept low by due to
donation of material and/or funds from donor
partners and homeowners are required to help in the
construction of their new home as well as those of
other HFH homeowners in the community. To put the
“Sweat Equity” (each family is required to
contribute to the construction of their own home and
the homes of their Habitat neighbors) principle into
action, a selected number of families often form a
work team and rotate the construction until all the
homes are built. The cost to the homeowner is
determined before construction of the house begins
by calculating the projected costs of materials,
labor and transport to be used in the construction
with the addition of a ten percent administrative
fee.
How are recipient families
selected? Families in need of simple,
decent shelter apply to the local Habitat cluster
office. Interested families are encouraged to come
to a series of educational meetings. Families are
then selected as beneficiaries on the basis of level
of need, ability to repay the no-interest loan and
willingness to become partners in the program. Every
family must be willing to contribute “sweat equity,”
time and effort in the construction of their home
and the homes of other recipients in the program.
Habitat does not discriminate in the family
selection process on the basis of race, religion or
ethnicity.
How does a community start a
Habitat cluster? Starting a new cluster
in a community takes time, local resources and local
volunteers. In countries where Habitat is
established, the national office offers training and
support to interested communities. The process of
affiliation may take from six months to two years
and requires local initiative and local
fund-raising.
Does Habitat for Humanity
work with other NGOs or governments?
Habitat for Humanity invites the partnership of
individuals or partner organizations interested in
alleviating the problem of poverty housing. HFH
partners with other NGOs and community development
groups involved with income generating projects,
health initiatives or training. In coordination with
other organizations, HFH provides resources and
expertise in alleviating critical housing.
Corporations, community businesses and concerned
individuals sponsor houses, participate in special
events or come together to help build houses along
with members of the local community.
Volunteering with
Habitat-tt.org Habitat encourages individuals and
companies to join us in our campaign to eradicate
poverty housing. There are very few activities more
satisfying than providing needed help to a fellow
human being in need. We therefore encourage people
to volunteer their time, resources and expertise to
aid in our community building projects.
Volunteering with Habitat
can be done on an individual basis, volunteers also
come from faith-based groups, corporations who
donate financially often encourage their employees
to get physically involved in Habitat builds,
service clubs, schools and university student
groups, as well as other NGO’s and community groups
are also encouraged to partner with Habitat in its
programs. Many individuals, corporations and groups
are already involved, its now your turn. |
