The Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka Story
Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka (HFHSL) began its activities in 1995. HFHSL has ten affiliates working in 16 districts which have now been converted into four Habitat Resource Centers (HRCs), namely, Eastern Region, Western Region, Southern Region and Central Region.Within five years HFHSL had completed 1,000 houses; in 2008 HFH Sri Lanka will complete it 10,000th house as part of its regular program and close to 2,500 additional houses for victims of the tsunami. Next to the government, HFH Sri Lanka is probably the largest homebuilder in the country.
Under the innovative Save & Build program, created and pioneered by Sri Lanka, 12 families (could be more or less) save together until they have the cost of one house, and Habitat contributes two to one match in the form of a no-profit, no-interest loan so that three houses can be built.The process continues so that all 12 families have a small house at the end of two years. Group members continue to pay in until Habitat’s loan is repaid in about four years, and those loan repayments are used to fund new Save and Build groups.
HFHSL builds two-room core houses of about 24 sq. m. When an agreed-upon part of the mortgage is repaid, a second section, either a third room or a veranda, is added, increasing the home size to 32 sq. m.
Habitat homeowners collect building materials and often make their own bricks or cut their own lumber in order to keep costs down. Families are required to perform “sweat equity” by working a certain number of hours to build their own and other group members’ homes. Other common ways to reduce costs include substituting locally-available building materials and methods, such as soil blocks, treated timber poles and small concrete tiles.
In contrast, houses for tsunami victims are being built as quickly as funds and land are available. There will be no repayment required of homeowners. Eventually, those building a core house with the tsunami response program can be integrated into the Save & Build program and add to their house. Hundreds of volunteers have come from over 20 countries to build houses with the tsunami-affected families.
HFHSL works in partnership with the government, the Southern Development Authority, municipal councils, civic and church groups. NGO partners have included World Vision, Mercy Corps, World Concern, The Salvation Army and others. In coordination with its partners, Habitat’s housing contribution becomes part of a community transformation effort that includes improved livelihood, education and social services. Each house Habitat builds with a family represents a long-term commitment to that family and community.
