Habitat for Humanity Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Habitat for Humanity Ireland was launched in November 2002 and is committed to addressing housing needs in Ireland as well as supporting international Habitat for Humanity projects around the world. HFH Ireland is an associate member of the Irish Council of Social Housing and has Approved Housing Body status from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The mission of HFH Ireland is to make the elimination of poverty housing a matter of conscience and action by providing a local solution that works in partnership with families and communities in need, and by supporting the global mission of Habitat for Humanity International.
Ireland is facing a housing crisis. The spiralling cost of private housing has left ordinary people who earn an average industrial wage unable to buy their own home. Despite unprecedented economic prosperity, there are over 48,000 households on local authority waiting lists, an acute housing stock shortage and a catalogue of associated social problems. There is urgent demand for simple, decent, affordable housing in urban areas.
In response, HFH Ireland has set the goal to build 40 houses per year with families in need by 2008. It aims to see families lifted from housing list to home ownership through self-help, providing the means for people to build their own home.
Habitat for Humanity Ireland is currently finishing its first programme of four new homes in the Coultry neighbourhood in Ballymun in Dublin. These homes were dedicated by the Lord Mayor of Dublin on March 24, 2006.
Habitat for Humanity Ireland's Global Village programme sends teams of volunteers to build houses with other HFH affiliates around the world. In 2005 teams went to countries such as Hungary, Madagascar, Chile, Malawi, Zambia, India and Romania.
