Homes, Communities, Hope + You

As the world continues to grapple with the public health crisis and the economic impact of COVID-19, the importance of a place to call home has never been more pronounced. Since 1997, Habitat Trinidad and Tobago has supported families through many adversities. Now, in these very challenging times, we stand ready once again to offer a hand up to families in need of safe, decent and affordable homes. We are raising funds to support more families who need access to the opportunities that an affordable home provides, and we will share with you what we do best: building security and stability, building back the economy, reconnecting communities, and creating hope.

“Habitat for Humanity is needed now more than ever,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “The world was already experiencing a housing crisis long before COVID-19. The pandemic has only made our work more urgent. Our neighbours need our help to build back, and we need your support as we work toward a world where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to live.”

Years ago, when he agreed to become the Patron of Habitat Trinidad and Tobago, the late President George Maxwell Richards stated his vision: “I see a Trinidad and Tobago where homelessness and poverty housing does not exist.” His next words were inspirational at the time and, given the events of the last six months, they are even more poignant today.

We need, as a people, to adjust our mindset accordingly … We need a quantum leap not only in our vision, but in our understanding of our capabilities to fulfill the vision.

With your help we can create not only more of the healthy homes that help stop the spread of the virus today but also healthier housing markets that can lead the way to a sustainable recovery tomorrow. We’re prioritizing residents of dense informal settlements with little infrastructure, low-income families, and vulnerable people who wake up each day fearing they might lose their home.

Now is the time to get involved. Now is the time to lead and chart the path forward. As our country begins to emerge from the crisis, we will work together with volunteers, corporate partners, homeowners and state authorities to change the global narrative from a feeling of helplessness to hope. From fear to courage. And from sitting and waiting in isolation to taking bold action and casting a vision for a brighter future. The timeline for the recovery process coming out of the pandemic is unknown, but we do know that struggling families need Habitat’s help now more than ever.