Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit entity that aims to help people living in disadvantaged positions build and improve their homes. Its operations are present across all fifty states, providing home reconstruction services, support at aging facilities, neighborhood revitalization, shelters, disaster response, financial education, and more. The organization’s mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Its vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” (Habitat for Humanity, 2021). The mission and vision have allowed the organization to partner with communities to build and improve the places of their residence. By doing so, Habitat hopes to achieve strength, stability, and independence among vulnerable populations that get a chance to have a better life for themselves and their families.
At its core, Habitat for Humanity has always been fighting for fair and affordable housing to promote the equality of opportunities and reduce the adverse influence of social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers. The greater housing affordability has a lasting impact on communities as vulnerable populations get an opportunity to allocate more money for a secure future once the burden with housing is alleviated. The money saved on accommodation goes toward expanding opportunities in the areas of professional training, education, personal development, or supporting others.
The availability of financial support in the form of donations and affiliations, as well as state and local policies, has a significant impact on facilitating the work of the organization. Habitat for Humanity largely depends on gifts from individuals, corporations, and other groups to help families in need get decent and affordable homes, not only in the US but also globally. It depends on donations to fund their work, with donations helping families build places that they call homes. For example, the organization has Habitat ReStores, which sells reusable and surplus building materials, appliances, and furniture. The money made from these sales is used to help people get new homes and a better future.
The organization appeals to legislators and housing regulators to increase support for affordable homeownership and decent housing in terms of policy impact. It monitors the existing and possibly new public policies, calling for increased support for affordable homeownership and decent housing. Policies relevant to housing, community, and international development are imperative for supporting the smooth operations of the organization, which favor the equality of opportunities. Particular focus is placed on policies that will increase the government’s financial support of initiatives that support affordable housing for the population. Importantly, Habitat accepts government funds as long as there have no conditions that would violate the principles or limit the ability to proclaim the Christian identity of the organization.
The benefits of affordable and safe shelter have direct effects on the health and well-being of the populations that previously experienced poverty and homelessness. With decent and affordable shelter, families get a chance to normalize their lives and grow as individuals. Such homeownership helps create the conditions that free individuals from instability, stress, and fear, encouraging confidence and self-resilience. Specifically, strong and stable households have been shown to be imperative for healthy child development and growth (Minh et al., 2017). The stability and financial security offered by Habitat for Humanity enable health and safety, making sure that families can flourish.
Notably, surveys including Habitat homeowners and their families have shown better financial security and improved health as they have more confidence about meeting the needs of their families and facilitating a better future for kids (“How housing affects health,” 2021). The organization has engaged in extensive research regarding the effects of housing on health. For example, it was shown that as many as 40% of asthma cases could be attributed to factors in low-quality homes, such as mold, pests, or chemical exposure (“How housing affects health,” 2021). This means that households that struggle with their living conditions require an improvement in the quality of their environments to reduce their adverse impact on health and well-being. Ranging from repairing leaky roofs to eliminating mold to creating access to basic sanitation facilities, it becomes possible to improve hygiene at homes, which can quickly stop life-threatening diseases. Overall, the affordability and safety of housing raise the standards of vulnerable communities’ living and reduce the mental pressure of being forced to make tough trade-offs to make it through their weeks.
Becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity is accomplished through volunteering as a nurse. The organization has a widespread presence in hundreds of communities, and it is up to a nurse to find a local representative of the organization to volunteer locally. Notably, Habitat welcomes as many people as possible to participate, which presents an excellent opportunity for a team of nurses to come and participate at its sites. Besides, it is also possible to engage in volunteering opportunities available at local Habitat affiliates. Considering the great importance of safe and affordable housing, nurses can be invaluable contributors to building homes for vulnerable communities. By doing so, they take active support and advocacy roles within their communities and enrich them by helping create housing that is vital to stability and prosperity.
References
Habitat for Humanity. (2021). Our mission, vision and principles. Web.
How housing affects health: Healthy housing helps families thrive. (2021). Web.
Minh, A., Muhajarine, N., Janus, M., Brownell, M., & Guhn, M. (2017). A review of neighborhood effects and early child development: How, where, and for whom, do neighborhoods matter? Health & Place, 46, 155-174. Web.