WITH a mission to transform the lives of the poor through home ownership, Habitat for Humanity (Guyana) Inc has, since establishment of operations here, built, repaired and extended some 600 homes throughout Guyana.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Habitat, as the organisation is also called, is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1976 with a vision for a world in which everyone has a safe and decent place to live through the elimination of housing poverty and homelessness.

Most know Habitat as an entity in the business of building a home, but Habitat’s work extends beyond just building. It provides low-cost housing frequently through voluntary labour; offers house-related technical assistance; promotes innovative house financing opportunities, advocates for adequate housing for all, and prepares for and responds to disasters.

Habitat was formally registered as a non-profit organisation in Guyana in 1995, but its relationship with this country stretches a few years back.
The relationship began soon after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) came to power in 1992, following a conversation between then President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, and former US President Jimmy Carter.

When Dr Jagan assumed office, the former US President had asked him what he could do for Guyana; and Dr Jagan, who was deeply concerned about the poor condition of housing in Guyana at the time, requested assistance in housing. And there is where it all started.

Habitat’s representatives, Mr Charlie and Mrs Ruth McGill, were dispatched to Guyana to explore the possibility of the humanitarian organisation setting up an office here.
In their sojourn, they consulted with various stakeholders in society; and, having a first-hand look at the deteriorating conditions, they found that there was a clear-cut case for the establishment of operation in these shores.

And gradually, with persistence and determination, Habitat has complemented Government’s efforts to bring comfort to the discomforted and dignity and hope to thousands of poor and underprivileged, throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

Habitat for Humanity (Guyana) Director Rawle Small told the Guyana Chronicle that Habitat is not only about building homes for the poor and the impoverished, but is also about bringing people together to change lives in their communities.

In the building of homes, he said, the labour of families and, if possible, community members is utilised aside from the work of the paid labourers and contractors.
PROMOTING TOGETHERNESS
Small explained that what this does is bring family members together, possibly members of the community, and in so doing, it brings down the cost for building the home.

He said persons should not be confused, and he pointed out that Habitat helps but does not give handouts, as families have to contribute to the building of their own homes.

Aside from building homes, Habitat also does home extension, home repairs, and incremental work, which includes, among other things, the construction of septic tanks and sanitary blocs.

This year, Small said, the organisation would be building 31 new homes and engaging in repair projects and five incremental assignments.
Habitat, he said, is in the business of building low-cost houses, but does not build just any house. He pointed out that the organisation utilises eight different housing designs, with costs ranging from $1.7 million to $4.2 million.

These houses include one- and two-storeyed structures that are outfitted with kitchens, living and dining areas, lights, toilets, running water and other basic amenities.

One would ask: if family members are contributing to the building of their own homes, and have to pay the interest on loans borrowed from the commercial banks, why the need for Habitat?

The need is a necessity, since from its track record of success in Guyana, Habitat has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the country’s top suppliers of building materials.

Once housing projects are routed through this humanitarian organisation, they benefit from concessionary prices on building materials, or prices below the regular market price. Taken together, these usually amount to half the cost a private contractor would charge to build the house.

A good example, Small told the Guyana Chronicle, is that a typical house constructed by Habitat for $2.5 million would usually cost $5 million and more if the project is privately done.

He pointed out that the goal is not only for the poor to own their own homes, but to recognise the importance of saving, and building on their gains. This, he said, is part of the wider strategy of empowering the poor in the bid to get them out of poverty.

LOW-COST SERVICE
Only the poor and vulnerable qualify to benefit under Habitat, and Small said that once the applicants are successful, they pay a fee of $15,000 for the plan and estimate of the house, a service for which a regular contractor would charge $50,000 and more.

Prior to 2012, the humanitarian organisation used to provide no-interest mortgages to beneficiaries, and the monies repaid used to be channelled into a revolving fun, so that more people can benefit under the low-cost housing programme.
But the scheme encountered some difficulties when many of the beneficiaries began dishonouring their payments, and this prompted Habitat Guyana to strategically review the way they do business here.

A new business model was created, and it mandates that funding for projects be sourced not exclusive from Habitat’s donor agencies, but from external sources, to ensure productivity and viability of the organisation.
In the early period of operation in Guyana, Habitat used to receive funding from several donors in the US; but today, while still receiving overseas support, the amounts have been lessened. A large portion of the funds, Small said, comes from local organisations.

Grounded in the readjustment of policies, Habitat forged partnerships with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited, Scotia Bank, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited, Edward B. Beharry and Company Limited, and several corporate entities to support its housing drive.

Small said that once beneficiaries have the land, they would qualify for a low-income loan from the commercial bank, paying an interest rate of 4.2 per cent. But, he said, homes built exclusively by corporate entities are given to beneficiaries for free.

Another strategic decision that was taken following the reorganization of Habitat, Small said, was the building of homes to withstand flooding and other associated risks.

Also stemming from the reorganisation, a Youth Volunteer Programme was established in 2013, which today boasts some 250 youths, focusing on construction, resource mobalisation and disaster risk management.

NEW PROJECT
Building on its success, Habitat will be introducing a new programme in July, by which it intends to build 100 homes every year. It has already begun working with two construction firms to execute part of the project.

Small explained that Habitat has chosen the firms to execute projects on the coastland, as it is cheaper to contract them than to give the projects to individual contractors. And in an effort to minimise cost and provide employment to community members, projects in the hinterland, he said, will be awarded to individual contractors.
Small said that Habitat sees housing for all as a basic human right, and he lauded the current Government for creating the environment for more persons to own their own homes now than at anytime before.

Today, tens of thousands of working class Guyanese are proud home owners as a result of Government’s national housing programme. With subsidies towards providing infrastructure support worth billions of dollars, over 200 squatter settlements have been transformed into housing schemes with beautifully built homes.

From cramped one-room dwellings in what can be described as hazardous conditions, families are now accommodated in spacious homes.

Putting the Government’s programmes aside, the Habitat Director said, with 20 years of service in Guyana, the organisation cannot be prouder of its accomplishments in transforming the lives of thousands of poor Guyanese.

TRANSFORMATION
Tomeicka Miller Patterson, he said, is just one example. Patterson, a single mother of one, became a survivor of domestic violence in 2014 after her reputed husband had stabbed her 27 times before taking his own life. Her home at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, where she had resided at the time, was in dire need of repair. Habitat for Humanity Guyana, Scotia bank, Courts, Qualfon and Demerara Bank Limited collaborated to assist Tomeikca monetarily with the repairs for her floors, roof, kitchen cupboards, and to construct a sanitary block.

Patterson was overjoyed with gratitude, but after receiving financial support to start the renovation, Tomeikca was left with tears in her eyes after tragedy struck once again when fire ravaged her Goed Fortuin home.

After Anjuli Beharry Strand, Director of Edward B Beharry and Company Limited, heard of Tomeicka’s story, she immediately wanted to help. Tomeicka’s home was made possible through the partnership with Edward B Beharry and Company Limited under the Habitat/Beharry Build project; they were the major donors of the project.

MOST WELCOME ASSISTANCE
Today, after all of her misfortunes, Tomeicka still has the comfort of a place she calls home. In addition to her new home, Courts Unicomer Guyana has extended its interest in supporting Tomeicka by making provision to furnish her home.

Another example, Small said, can be found in Fulencity Holder. Between the ages of 17-18, Holder had her first two children, a bouncing baby boy she named David, and his younger, energetic sister Cecilia.

With two children and no reliable source of income, Fulencity set her sight on finding employment. In 2009, at age 22, she joined the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as a cook, a skill she had developed since her teenage years.

Without a place for her and her children to stay, Fulencity found refuge at Base Camp Ayanganna, the headquarters of the GDF. By this time, however, she had lost custody of her daughter, who lived with her aunt, and her son developed a disability. Holder decided it was best to enroll him in a children’s Convalescent home.

She urgently needed a place to regain full custody of her children and provide the quality of care only a dedicated mother can.

DREAM REALISED
Holder’s dream was finally made a reality in February 2015 with support from Habitat for Humanity Guyana and El Salvador, which partnered with the GDF to construct a modest three-bedroom house which catered to the family’s general needs as well as her son’s disability.

Small is hoping that with US President Jimmy Carter returning to Guyana to observe the May 11 General and Regional Elections, he would be available to attend the dedication ceremony, where the home will be officially handed over to Holder.

After all, it was former President Carter who really brought Habitat to Guyana, whose mission is: “Seeking to put God’s love into action…bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.”

In essence, Habitat brings comfort to the poor. And of all the comfortable places in life, there is no place as comfortable as the place called home.

By Tajeram Mohabir