Frequently asked questions about Habitat’s hurricane recovery program in Puerto Rico

What is your plan to help Puerto Rico recover?

Over the next five years, Habitat for Humanity will partner directly with hurricane-affected families to address their shelter needs, as well as work toward policies and systems that will improve shelter, land and resilience issues across the island.

In addition to directly partnering with families to build and repair homes, Habitat’s recovery program includes four key areas of focus:

• Providing local workers with access to training programs and construction methodologies that will help build back safer, resilient homes. These trainings and resources will increase the volume of skilled builders on the island and strengthen the quality of repairs and new construction.
• Training and supporting homeowners with essential resources and guidance such as safe repair/building practices, financial literacy support and disaster preparedness, among others.
• Supporting policies that will improve security of tenure and processes for title clearing and granting.
• Widely sharing knowledge from Habitat’s ongoing work and advocacy efforts so that residents, communities and leaders can increase and scale housing recovery.

How many people are you going to help?

Habitat expects to directly assist 13,000 people through repairs, new construction, workforce training and assistance with clear property titles.

Through its work to effect policy and systems reforms, Habitat also expects to make significant progress in aiding many of the estimated 1.3 million Puerto Ricans who live in housing that was built without clear title or proper permits. Those residents face significant barriers to construction and repairs as well as assistance from other sources of aid.

Where will Habitat focus its rebuilding work in Puerto Rico?

Based on Habitat’s damage assessments and input from municipalities, efforts over the next five years will begin in the greater San Juan area, followed by the southern part of the island and then the east. A phased approach by region will allow Habitat to pilot and adjust its programs as needed, while ensuring we are making cost-effective recommendations and solutions.

How do I apply for assistance for myself or my family?

Complete and submit the Puerto Rico recovery interest form. You can submit your information and information will be provided to you when programs are available in your area.

How can I volunteer to help?

While Habitat is well known for working with volunteers to build and repair homes, we anticipate very limited volunteer construction opportunities in Puerto Rico. Instead, we plan to train and engage skilled and unskilled workers through job training programs, which will help ensure that the investments we are making in the economic well-being of the island and its people are long-term.

I would like to support recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. How can I do so?

Please go to habitat.org/donate and designate your gift to Habitat Puerto Rico.