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The United Nations has
designated the first Monday in October as annual
World Habitat Day
On Oct. 4, 2010, in recognition of
World Habitat Day,
Habitat for Humanity will raise awareness of the
need for improved shelter and highlight Habitat’s
priorities: the worldwide connection between human
health and housing, and, in the United States,
neighborhood revitalization. These themes echo the
United Nations’ chosen theme for 2010 for events in
the host city of Shanghai, China and the rest of the
world: “Better City, Better Life.”
Every week, more than a million people are born in,
or move to, cities in the developing world. As a result,
the urban population of developing countries will double
from 2 billion to 4 billion in the next 30 years. (Kissick,
et al: 2006)
By the year 2030, an additional 3 billion people,
about 40 percent of the world’s population, will need
access to housing. This translates into a demand for
96,150 new affordable units every day and 4,000 every
hour. (UN-HABITAT: 2005)
Habitat for Humanity hopes that by raising awareness
and advocating for universal decent housing we can
dismantle and alter the systems that allow for poverty
housing and make an affordable, decent place to live a
reality for all.
Habitat for Humanity
World Habitat Day events
Around the world, many
Habitat for Humanity local offices have organized
World Habitat Day events.
Habitat for Humanity’s 27th annual
Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter Work Project is a
World Habitat Day event this year. It
will be held Oct. 4 – 8 in six cities in the United
States. Held in a different location each year,
Habitat’s Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is an
annual, internationally-recognized week of building that
brings attention to the need for simple, decent and
affordable housing. This year, the Carters will
work alongside volunteers in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore
and Annapolis, Md.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; and
Birmingham, Ala. to build, rehabilitate and improve 86
homes.
Health and housing
Habitat’s
World Habitat Day efforts will focus on the link
between housing and health, for example, through the
release of the
2011 Shelter Report, which focuses on the need for
more research on the connections between healthy homes
and healthy families around the world.
Neighborhood revitalization
In the United States,
Habitat for Humanity will also focus on
neighborhood revitalization. In a broad effort to
help communities fulfill their aspirations, Habitat will
expand its housing programs to include repairing more
homes, rehabbing more vacant homes, and improving the
energy-efficiency of homes. Habitat will work with
partners to provide holistic improvements in a
community.
Jonathan Reckford, right, works alongside volunteers
to raise the walls of a new Habitat house in northeast
Washington, D.C. The build was part of the
World Habitat Day 2009 events.
What Can You Do for World Habitat Day?
The most important thing you can do is take
action! Below are three common ways that people take
action in their community.
Advocate
In addition to building homes in partnership with
people in need, Habitat advocates to address the
causes of poverty housing. Advocacy activities
always include a specific request, such as asking
supporters to sign a petition,
send a message to an elected official or take
part in a rally.
Fundraise
World Habitat Day is a great way to raise funds
for Habitat in your area. A fundraiser can help
educate the public and generate publicity for
nonprofit organizations like
Habitat for Humanity.
Educate
Organize a public awareness event for
World Habitat Day 2010 that not only highlights the
need for affordable housing in your own community, but
also discusses the need for improved shelter for
billions of people around the world.
For some ideas on how you can take action in your
community,
click here.
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