Women and children make up the majority of people populating Habitat neighborhoods, as they are the most likely to be affected by poor living conditions. The Women Build program recruits, educates, and encourages women to build and advocate for decent and affordable houses in their communities.
In 1991, a group of women in Charlotte, N.C., completed the first women-built Habitat for Humanity house. With this event, the seeds for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program were planted. The program continues to grow empowering women everywhere to address poverty housing for themselves, their families, and their neighbors.
Women make up 50 percent of Habitat for Humanity International’s volunteer force; yet often because of lack of training, they account for less than 15 percent of workers on the construction site. The Women Build program was established to encourage the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes.
In the U.S., 1 in 6 households pay half or more of their income on their home. Women are disproportionately affected by this severe cost-burden and make up a larger share of U.S. households living in poverty and as well as receiving government-subsidized housing. At Habitat for Humanity we know that safe, affordable housing means that individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive. However, women face challenges that make it more difficult to access this basic need.
Women Build brings women together to confront these challenges by building homes for other women, alongside the future homeowners. Women building, investing and advocating for simple, decent and affordable housing around the world to help families build strength, stability and independence.
Locally, hundreds of women will come together to act against unaffordable housing through fundraising and volunteerism to create a lasting impact in our community.
• It’s more than just building a home; it’s building a better future and a strong foundation for a family in our community.
• Women, especially those who serve as head of the families and women of color, disproportionately face obstacles that make accessing decent, affordable housing seem impossible.
• At Fox Valley Habitat, we know that stable housing is transformative for women and their families.
• When families have a safe, decent place to call home, they are more likely to be healthier, attain higher levels of education, and build more wealth.
• Through sponsorships and fundraising, we will come together to raise funds and construct a home for a family in need.
Your support towards our mission to address the challenges women face in accessing affordable housing can profoundly impact a family's life by making homeownership achievable.
When you participate in Women Build, you are not only assisting in building crucial affordable housing but also helping in creating strong and thriving communities where residents can thrive long-term. Getting involved in Women Build empowers you to play a pivotal role in promoting affordable housing and sustainable growth.
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