Country Facts:
- Capital city – Sofia
- Population – Almost 6.9 million
- Life expectancy – 66.2 years
- Unemployment rate – 5.5%
- Below poverty line – 22%
Habitat Facts
- Date when Habitat started working in the country – 2001
- Individuals served in FY2021 – 1,765
- Through market development – 1,765
- Volunteers hosted in FY2021 – 282
The housing need in Bulgaria
The majority of Bulgarians own a house or a flat, but they struggle to maintain them. Many live in pre-fabricated condominium buildings that were constructed 40 years to 50 years ago. Maintenance of these buildings has become a severe challenge for homeowners as the structures are rapidly deteriorating.
Following Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union in 2007, the cost of housing has significantly increased, particularly in the capital city of Sofia, making affordable housing out of reach for many families.
Over the past 20 years, people living in the rural areas have experienced a major loss of employment, income and services. Living standards in many villages are below the 1990 level.
How Habitat addresses the need
Adequate, affordable housing
Habitat is a well-known brand in Bulgaria associated with expertise in housing and quality services, products, knowledge and expertise in housing. Our programs, which focus on home repairs, aim to improve the country’s housing stock with the support of partners and volunteers.
Community development and microfinance
We develop products and services and run programs custom-tailored to support low-income and vulnerable populations and communities with their housing needs.
Energy and climate
We are working on the design of the national residential energy efficiency programs and the development of a national definition for “energy poverty.” We also implement projects promoting the use of renewable energy sources by the households.
Innovation
We develop an independent source of revenue by utilizing innovative approaches and setting up a social enterprise. Habitat Bulgaria will start the construction of an industrial facility, which will be producing thermal insulation made of recycled textiles. For the invented thermal insulation product, the organization was honored with the Grand Invention of 2015 by the Union of Inventors in Bulgaria during the sixth National Exhibition of Inventions, Transfer, Innovation ITI 2015.
What you can do
Donate
Please visit habitat.org/donate and select “Designate your donation” to donate to Habitat Bulgaria.
Volunteer
The Global Village program is resuming region by region until a safe and quality experience can be provided at scale worldwide. Please visit habitat.org/gv for more information.
Tithe
Habitat affiliates in the U.S. support the international work through an annual tithe. For additional information, email [email protected] or contact your local Habitat organization.
Contact
Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hfh.bg
