Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic launches home repair project in Haina
During an event that took place in the Central Assembly of God Church in Haina, Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic launched a project to benefit 126 families with home repairs.
HAINA, Dominican Republic (February 20, 2012) – Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic formally launched the second phase of a home repair project “Selavip-Ebenezer”, which will benefit 126 low-income families. The project combines a credit program with subsidies, at a cost of between 10 and 20 thousand pesos (US 260-520) per repair. Haina is roughly 30 minutes from Santo Domingo.
The project will be carried out through a strategic partnership between Habitat for Humanity, the Latin America, African and Asian Social Housing Service (SELAVIP) and Bank ADEMI, which Habitat Dominican Republic has entrusted with the administration of the loans that are provided to selected families.
“This project, in addition to providing access to adequate housing, will give the families of this community the opportunity to access bank credit for the first time. These are loans with flexible interest rates and the added advantage of having 50 percent of the cost of the repair covered by SELAVIP,” said Cesarina Fabián, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic.
A wide range of community leaders, municipal government representatives and local and national organizations, as well as staff from Habitat and ADEMI Bank, participated in the inauguration event. All of the attendees expressed satisfaction in being part of an activity that promotes the right to adequate housing for the families of Haina, which is comprised of 79 neighborhoods—the majority of which are informal settlements with vulnerable housing and limited access to basic services.
“It is an honor for ADEMI to be the selected channel for Habitat for Humanity, so that credit can be extended to families that normally do not have access to a formal bank loan, and continuing the foundation that this institution was built upon. To be part of this process makes me arrive home at the end of the day with the satisfaction of having accomplished something,” said Juan Campusano, ADEMI Bank Manager for Haina.
At the end of the event, Fabián formally presented the project documents to Pastor Astacio Suero Rodríguez, who received them on behalf of the community.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian nongovernmental housing organization that brings together people of all races, nationalities and religions to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by building and improving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Habitat for Humanity first opened its doors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in 1979, and has since helped more than 100,000 low-income families to access adequate housing in the region.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity in Latin America and the Caribbean.