Habitat for Humanity wants governments to prioritise housing conditions

A Christian charity is calling for the British public to support their appeal to improve the worldwide condition of housing.

Habit for Humanity says housing has to become a priority for world governments following a recent report linking inadequate housing to serious ill health.

A report published by the World Health Organisation in June showed that inadequate housing is responsible for more than 100,000 annual deaths in Europe alone.

The report drew on evidence showing a direct link between the quality of a home and the health of its residents, and corroborates the findings of Habitat for Humanity’s Shelter Report published on World Habitat Day, October 2010.

The health consequences of inadequate housing are substantial, with resultant conditions including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, physical injury, stress and depression, lung cancer, lead poisoning, infections, allergic symptoms and food poisoning.

Inadequate housing perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty: by negatively impacting residents’ health, people are prevented from employment opportunities and existing health conditions are worsened, throwing families into deeper poverty and greater health risks.

Habitat for Humanity’s Fundraising Director Mark Collyns told of the case of a lady in Cambodia who features in their current appeal.

"She is HIV positive and living in a home that is infested with woodworm and on the brink of collapse, without access to clean water, sanitation or electricity," he said.

"When it rains the roof leaks and she gets wet and cold. In the rainy season she and her family catch Dengue fever, and in the hot season they suffer from stomach complaints and diarrhoea.

"When she is ill she cannot work. The medicines the family needs are expensive and so the cycle perpetuates.

“The home is absolutely vital to human development and it should be a safe, healthy place.”

Habitat for Humanity has projects working with families in 80 countries worldwide to improve their housing conditions and therefore to help people to escape the negative health impact of inadequate housing.

On the web: www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/donate