Habitat Guatemala

Cool Facts about Habitat Guatemala:

Begun in 1979 Guatemala was the first international affiliate outside the US
2009, completion of house 30,000; almost 10% of Habitat homes worldwide
One of the lowest house costs in americas, 2009 cost of $4,200
2,000 local volunteers and 200 local committees supporting the work
Partnerships with organizations work to bring holistic solutions like clean water and medical missions

Demonstrate need, live in inadequate housing and ineligible for normal loan
Be able to repay no-interest loan of approximately $45/month for 8-12 years
Own land with a legal title on which to build their home
Partner with Habitat in the construction of their home, called “sweat equity”
Be a family – broadly defined, often single parents or couples with dependents

Facts on Poverty in Guatemala:

Housing deficit is approximately 1.5 million units
Deficit grows by roughly 80,000 units per year
72% of Guatemalans live in rural areas
54.3% of population live in poverty
22.8% of population are in extreme poverty
18.2% of the population does not have electricity
79.4% of homes do not have access to telephone
21.1% of homes do not have plumbing
54.4% do not have sewage in thei homes
99.6% of the impoverished do not have access to higher education
Guatemala has the highest illiteracy rate in Latin America at 30.9%

House Numbers, construction by Habitat for Humanity:

First 20 Years – 5,000 houses
Next 2 Years – 5,000 more
2001 – 10,000 Total Homes
2003 – 15,000 Total Homes
2005 – 20,000 Total Homes
2006 – 22,703 Total Homes
2007 – 25,000 Total Homes
2008 – 28,000 Total Homes
2009 – 30,000 Total Homes

Information from: http://www.habitat.org/intl/lac/86.aspx

Habitat para la Humanidad Guatemala, Av. Las Americas 9-50 Zona 3, Edificio SuperCom Delco, 3er Nivel, Oficina No. 3 Quetzaltenango, 09003, Guatemala, C.A.