Home Equals: Transforming Lives and Building Hope
For communities across the globe, having a safe and stable home is the foundation for a brighter future. This is especially true in marginalized areas where access to basic amenities and legal housing remains a challenge.
Habitat for Humanity’s Home Equals initiative strives to empower families and communities to build a better life.
Lighting the Path Forward in “Stari Lozja”
In the informal settlement of “Stari Lozja” in Kumanovo, a city in North Macedonia, residents like Shaip Ramadani live amidst significant challenges. Shaip, a 50-year-old Roma rights activist, has been striving to improve living conditions in his neighborhood. His family home, built in 2004, remains unlegalized—a common issue for his neighbors as well. This lack of legal recognition prevents residents from accessing favorable loans and support needed to improve their homes.
Through the Home Equals initiative and the development of a new Detailed Urban Plan, Shaip and his neighbors have renewed hope. The plan aims to provide a pathway for legalizing their homes, paving the way for critical infrastructure and community development. “My property title has still not been processed because they are working on cases from 2014,” Shaip explains. “As a result, we face many challenges. For instance, we can’t access favorable loans to expand the house, and we are at a standstill.”
Despite these hurdles, progress has been made. The installation of new streetlights, secured through active citizen participation in the Local Leadership Group, has brightened the settlement’s streets and spirits. “The street lighting is now much better than before. However, we still need a legal road, a water supply network, a sewage system, as well as a kindergarten, playgrounds, a health clinic, a post office, a park, and other amenities essential for modern living,” Shaip emphasizes.
Shaip’s optimism remains steadfast as he envisions a future where his children and grandchildren can thrive. “We must all hope for this so that the youth don’t leave for abroad,” he says. For the 9,000 residents of “Stari Lozja,” the promise of improved living conditions through the Home Equals initiative kindles hope for a better tomorrow.
A Mother’s Determination in Shuto Orizari
In Shuto Orizari, Macedonia’s only Roma-run municipality, located on the outskirts of the capital Skopje, the story of Almadet Shain highlights the resilience of those who face daily struggles yet remain hopeful. Almadet, a mother of two, lives in a home battered by the elements. Windows tremble under the winter wind, the roof is shattered, ceilings leak, and the pervasive smell of mold reminds her of the work still to be done.
“When it rains, water pours through our windows; I am always rolling up the carpets and mopping,” she shares. Yet, her resolve never wavers. Caring for her children and her ailing father, Almadet meets each day with courage and love.
Through the Home Equals initiative, Almadet and her family are on the brink of receiving new doors and windows. These improvements will seal their home from the cold and rain, ensuring warmth and comfort for her children. Her determination resonates with mothers everywhere who dream of a secure and nurturing environment for their families.
Building Brighter Futures Together
The Home Equals initiative exemplifies Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide safe and decent housing for everyone. By addressing the unique needs of communities like “Stari Lozja” and Shuto Orizari, the project empowers residents to actively participate in shaping their future. It brings tangible improvements, such as streetlights and home repairs, while also advocating for systemic changes that address legal and infrastructural challenges.
Shaip’s and Almadet’s stories remind us that a home is more than just a roof over one’s head; it’s a foundation for dreams, dignity, and hope. Together, we can help turn their aspirations into reality.
Because HOME EQUALS hope, resilience, and a brighter future for all.