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Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action for the communities affected by this situation.

Habitat for Humanity Romania is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds and rehabilitates houses for people in need of decent shelter.

The organization was founded in 1976 in USA by Millard and Linda Fuller and it revolutionized worldwide the concepts of social habitation, volunteering and the social involvement of local communities.

In the field of social habitation, Habitat for Humanity has become one of the most important organizations in the world. Habitat calls out to all the people, independent of their social or economical status, to work together, in partnership, to reach the goal of eradicating substandard housing.

Globally Habitat for Humanity International than has built more than 500,000 safe, decent and affordable homes around the world. More than 2,5 million people from over 3,500 communities in 80 countries around the world have benefited from Habitat programs. Their lives have changed forever.

Habitat for Humanity Romania is an active presence in Romania though the programs at the national level and through the affiliated Habitat organizations in Beius, Cluj, Pitesti, Radauti, Craiova, Comanesti and Cumpana. To this day, more than 1650 needy families from Romania have benefited from the support of Habitat for Humanity Romania.

How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses. The families accepted in the Habitat program have to participate actively in the building of their own home and the homes of other beneficiary families in their community. "When I stepped onto the work site I thought I was going to just hit a few nails and paint a little, but I never thought we'd raise a home in a day. It was a one of a kind experience!"- A volunteer from the "Casa Cristian" project in Timisoara

Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program. The entire Habitat program is oriented toward the development of responsible behavior of the families and the community. Once the building is done, the partner families pay back the home mortgage over 20 years at no interest, and invest till 1000 hours of sweat equity labor on other Habitat homes. Once the construction is paid for the family is the only owner of the home. The sums collected are consolidated in the “Fund for Humanity”, a rotating fund, that can help fund other construction sites and many more families.

These principles apply in the rehabilitation programs too. The need for volunteer labor will be more reduced than in case of the construction of a new home, but the obligation of the partner family to donate their “sweat equity” will be the same. The payment for the rehabilitation of renovation is done in a period of up to 5 years, following the same principle: no profit.

The Need for Habitat
The need for shelter in Romania is enormous. An impressive number of needy families in Romania still live in unacceptable conditions. According to a study done in 2007, almost 6 million people in Romania live in poverty. Of these almost 1 million people live in extremely impoverished living conditions, deprived of minimal elements that make up the standard of civilization in which we live.

When we say difficult living conditions, we refer to huts made from particle board/tar paper, with no heating and no running water or toilet, houses that have decayed so much that they are endangering the lives of their inhabitants and of small one room apartment of 9 to 15 m2 from the old communist blocks, un-repaired, un-isolated and without adequate facilities. Most times, the bad situation of the houses is made worst because of the large number of people living in a narrow space: often 2 or 3 generations living in the same cramped conditions.

Improper housing or the absence of a house is the most important part in the vicious circle of poverty. Along with the absence of a house with minimal conditions will come the lack of hygiene, the destruction of health, lack of education of children, lack of rest and the permanent stress of day-to-day life.

Since it’s founding in 1996, Habitat for Humanity Romania has broken the vicious circle for more than 3.307 families and their communities.

The Habitat Solution
To meet the high need for housing and to have a big social impact, the solution has to as simple as possible and easy to implement. Habitat for Humanity has drawn up a set of standards at a global level that regulate the space and the methodology of building and renovating.

We always start from the idea of a simple technique of building that can be used by those without experience, of personal implication and of involving the community through local and global volunteering. Everything is based on a maximizing efficiency, to reduce the costs at a minimal sum of money that is accessible to families with low and very low budget but also to build economical housing ergonomically speaking. New Houses

The single and duplex Habitat houses are predominantly built on wood structures in Romania, after the American Habitat model. Since 1997, Habitat for Humanity programs in Romania have specialized on this type of constructions, simple and efficient. The duplex model house is a simple project “in four corners”, with a concrete foundation, with a wood structure on one or two levels, enclosed with particle and plasterboard, insulated with fiberglass wool and polystyrene sheets, wood roof trusses covered with folded zinc-coated sheet roof or shingles, depending on the area and the local architecture.

One of the most efficient options consists of transforming the attic in a viable living space (mansard) in an existing apartment building. Along with this the whole building is renovated (usually a block of flats), adding a plus of value not only for the partner families through the new homes build in the mansard, but by improving the energy efficiency and by delivering utilities for all the inhabitants of the building by thermo-renovating the building and replacing the roof.

The Surface Area of the new Habitat houses vary from 28 m² (houses monoparentale), 45 – 55 m² (single houses) and 70 m² (houses for families with many children). Some of the single houses are built with an attic so that the growth of the young partner family won’t be restricted. The houses are equipped with bathroom, electrical installation and independent heating system (gas or wood station, depending on the area).

Even if Habitat for Humanity covers the basic costs of the building, the investment in a new house is still very costly, especially for the families with very low income. Often, the life conditions can be improved dramatically through the rehabilitation of the existing hose. It is cheaper but the positive impact for the social and health evolution of the family is very big.

If the partner family has no money, Habitat for Humanity can provide building materials and services necessary and can support the work through volunteer activities. Everything is done under the same Christian principle of involving the community in the need of the fellow men and without profit. In this way Habitat can contribute by:
 * Installation of insulated windows, review or change installation of heating, painting, electrical installation, renovating stairwells in apartnemtn buildings, changing water pipes / multi utility buildings, fully insulating outer connection to utilities, etc.
 * Thus, the rehabilitations raise the quality of life of the partner families, contributing to the quality of life in specific ways.

How much does a Habitat house cost?

At a global level the cost of a Habitat house or building vary between 800 Euro, in underdeveloped countries, and a average of 60.000 Euro, in countries like the USA and Great Britain.

In Romania the average cost of the Habitat houses is situated somewhere at 18.000 Euro. The dwelling spaces vary from 28 m² for one room flats and 70 m² for big families.

Implementation
1. Local independent organizations

Non-profit organizations operate in a specific geographical area and are affiliated to Habitat for Humanity Romania. They respect the conditions and the standards imposed through an affiliation contract and they adapt their program to the strategic request of HFHR.

Once the affiliation has been approved, the local organization is directly responsible for all the aspects of the building and renovation activities of the Habitat buildings in the area where they operate: fund raisers, picking the location, selecting and educating families, building and mortgage.

The relationship of these organizations with Habitat Romania is a partnership one. They implement at a practical level the program of construction and assistance; shelter the volunteer groups, while HFHR offers a large variety of services and national and global resources. Over 250 Vodafone Volunteers have built houses for 10 families with low income in Cluj, in just one week. The volunteers celebrated in this way 10 years of activity of the Voldafone Romania Foundation.

Habitat will only be active in a region or another if there is a local initiative aimed at eradicating poverty living and if there is collaboration and an active support of the local authorities.

2. Special projects

These are the projects that are implemented directly through the National Office. These are all the living(locuire) projects that don’t fall under the standard Habitat program for families. It involves living/housing solutions for marginalized groups, building protective homes for people with disabilities, providing housing for orphans, actions in case of natural disasters, programs and funds for microfinancing in the housing field, etc.

In most of the cases these projects are completed with the help of other partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that make sure the projects are sustainable and offer the possibility to have a complete and complex answer in assisting the community.

3. Offices and local representation

These are directly coordinated by the National Office and ensure the Habitat presence and the implementation of the special projects of HFHR.

History
By the age of 30, Millard and Linda Fuller had already become millionaires. Business was booming and everything was going smoothly. But he blessing of their life came when they made a radical step in their life up until then: they sold all of their possessions, gave up their businesses and donated the entire sum for social causes. Some followers of the Koinonia farm, a Christian community started in the 1940’s, based on equality and mutual help. Later on from Koinonia will come into being Habitat for Humanity.

They started a series of social projects near the region where they lived in Georgia, USA, but the most important initiative was the idea of launching a “partnership for houses” program, for building simple houses, in partnership with the neighbors that were to poor to get a conventional loan for a house of their own. The first house was built in 1969 and soon after others followed.

In 1973, the Fullers undertook the concept of the partnership for houses in Africa. Together with their 3 small children they went to Zair (nowadays The Democratic Republic of Congo) and built houses for, but mostly with, people struck by poverty. In just a few years the simple building from concrete blocks replaced the unhealthy houses, made from mud and straws. Then Millard Fuller had an even more courageous idea: if the partnership for houses could improve the lives of the people in Georgia and Zair, why wouldn’t if help people worldwide? So, in 1976, the Fullers went back to USA and founded Habitat for Humanity International. The 8 years that followed, proved that Millard Fuller’s vision about the ability of people to live and practice the true love of Christ through helping each other wasn’t an utopic idea, but an extremely fertile/rich one. Faith, hard work and an eloquent purpose have put Habitat for Humanity International on a ascending path.

In 1984, the American president Jimmy Carter joined the Habitat mission and launched an intense campaign in favor of the noble mission of HFHI. He created the „Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Build” operation, an extraordinary display of volunteer force that annually change radically the problem of poverty living for a community on earth.

,,Every person, as the sun and the wear from the day sets in, should have a decent place to lay and rest''.

Millard Fuller has been awarded 50 honor medals, and in 1996 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civil honor in the USA. On the occasion, United States President Bill Clinton said, "Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of homeownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person." Fuller was the president of Habitat since it was founded in 1976 until 2005. God called him among the angels on 3 February 2009, after a short period of suffering. He was 74 years old and he changed the world we all live in.

In the present Habitat for Humanity International is run by Jonathan Reckford, CEO of the organization, and the Regional Office for Europe, Middle East and Africa is run by Greg Foster.

The Habitat programes at a national level are coordinated by the National Office. Habitat for Humanity Romania is run by the Council Board and the Executive Director.

Habitat for Humanity Romania
In the mid 1990’s, in the small town of Beius, Bihor county, the idea and the concept of Habitat for Humanity started to be implicated in Romania. The founder and the main supporter in implementing the concept in our country is Adrian Ciorna. Through a sustained effort and a vision full of trust and hope, he founded the first Habitat for Humanity association in Beius, association that has grown since then in a constant and blessed style.

After an intense training period in the USA, Adrian Ciorna returned to Romania and, together with a group of enthusiastic friends, started to build the first Habitat houses in 1997. A year later the first three houses ad the first three needy families could move in their own new homes. At the beginning of 1999 the next four houses were ready.

The work done followed the Habitat for Humanity principles, using volunteer work, local materials and local design. Around these houses was going to develop the future Habitat neighborhood, at the present this consists of 40 houses and a playground for children.

Today, the street is officially named the “Habitat Street.”

Beneficiaries
You are used to telling your close ones how hard it can be for you, right? So hard that you didn’t manage to buy a new car. So hard that last year you couldn’t go on holiday to the seaside. So hard that you don’t have money to change your furniture, or your refrigerator, stove or your old washing machine. It was especially hard when you got sick and you stayed one week in the hospital. It is hard for you right now because you work to much and earn to little. It is true, it has been hard.

But we are sure that you know that there are people that have it much, much worse…And have you thought that these people live all around you? That it can be somebody in your city, in your neighborhood, your neighbor, you colleague… People that nobody thinks to help and for who your problems are a luxury.

Do you know what it means to live in a 12 m²? Not alone, but with your whole family. Sometimes three or four even five people. Bunk beds. A sink in the corner. A radiator under the window. A folding table and an old coffee machine by the window. The painting is covered in mold and the door is not shutting as it should for a long time. The unsanitary bathroom is on the hallway, in commune with other families in the same situation, the humid smell is ubiquitous.

It’s not an isolated situation. We can find it in to many places, big and small, in Romania. Most of the times, this tormented people have only the blame of being to poor to rent or build or buy a propped place to live in. The credit institutions don’t even look at them and they don’t present interest even for the usurers.

But they are our partners. Not just beneficiaries but partners that are involved body and soul in trying to brake the vicious cycle of poverty living.

"I want my boy to go to school and for him to have a place to do his homeworks. I want a bathroom. I want a place for a wardrobe where I can keep things away from dust and filth. I want a clean wall. At least a place where the washing machine can fit."

Habitat for Humanity becomes the source through which these wishes can become reality. Through hard work, ambition and mutual help(intr-ajutorare), through accepting friendly and unselfish help – the beneficiaries of the Habitat program will have transformed their lives for the better.

Habitat for Humanity Romania has shown that building a home means much more than a simple roof above your head:


 * The beneficiary family will be able to ensure the stability necessary for the children’s education.
 * They will lead a dignified life and a life more and more viable from an economical point of view.
 * Health and life safety gain a new quality.
 * Eliminating the stress of poor living will improve the chances of working and professional formation.

Selection Criteria
At the core of the selection process there are these 3 main criteria:
 * the need for a home;
 * the existence of an income, even a very small one;
 * the will to work (up to 1500 hours) on their own home and that of others.

The families in dire need of a home are chosen in a transparent and non discriminating way by the committee of family selection. These committees are composed of volunteers from the local community where a Habitat for Humanity affiliated organization activates. The selection committee sends the Board a list of families that are in the biggest need for housing in the area.

The opportunity of getting a Habitat for Humanity home is announced in local newspapers, churches, radio and posters and the entire selection process lasts about 3 months.

The families are invited to hand in an application for getting a home. A series of meeting fallow, where Habitat for Humanity presents the families what it means to become a partner, what responsibilities and what rights every party has, how the building takes place, how the home will look, when the inauguration will take place, etc.

Then the members of the family selection committee visit the place where the families that put in an application live and they go through an entire process of evaluating the conditions in which they live and their need for a home. Once selected, the families will sign a partnership contract that represents at the same time the pre-contract for the future home, but also the commitment of putting in up to 1,500 hours of volunteering.

When the home is finished – in about 10 months – a festive dedication takes place and the family is handed in the keys to their new home, and then there are made the final arrangements for the property papers.

During the building process the partner families work along with local volunteers and international volunteers through the “Global Village” Habitat for Humanity program. Traditionally one of the most important components is that of educating the family regarding the administration of the new home and of the families’ resources.