New Study Illuminates Poverty Housing in Europe/Central Asia
To download a pdf copy of the book, click here.
“Slum housing causes ill health, severely limits educational and economic opportunity, and perpetuates the cycle of poverty,” says Don Haszczyn, Area Vice President of Habitat for Humanity Europe and Central Asia, in the foreword of the book.
The book’s publication coincides with the United Nations “World Habitat Day” on October 3rd. This year’s focus is on the plight of slum dwellers and reducing the urban poverty. It is based on the Millennium Development target to improve the living conditions of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.
“From Budapest to Bishkek: Mapping the Roots of Poverty Housing” focuses on Europe and Central Asia, particularly on the so called transitional economies.
It attempts to identify the causes of poverty housing in this region, the scale of the problem, as well as possible solutions.
“With this study, we hope to provide insight, and hard facts to illuminate the problems of poverty housing in our region,” Haszczyn said. “‘World Habitat Day’ is a reminder to us all that there is a lot of work yet to be done.”
Europe/Central Asia Housing Facts:
- A high percentage of housing stock in CEE and CIS countries is in the process of rapid deterioration, considered to be the region’s “housing time-bomb.”
- Of Poland’s total housing stock of 11 million units, 1 million need major renovation and 300 000 should be demolished.
- In Armenia, almost every building in the country is considered to be below the current safety requirements for earthquakes.
- In Kyrgyzstan, less than 20% of the rural population has access to running water in their homes.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nondenominational Christian charity dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Habitat has built more than 200 000 houses and more than one million people are living in Habitat homes they helped build and are buying through low-cost, no-profit mortgages. Currently working in 100 countries around the globe, Habitat’s Europe & Central Asia regional headquarters are in Budapest, Hungary. The ECA region is actively fundraising, building and renovating homes with families in need. www.habitateurope.org