Following the privatization process in the early 1990s, there remained little social rental housing in Hungary. In the meantime there is a large group of families whose income does not allow them to make use of any other housing solution. The units which are available are often in very poor condition and are in dire need of renovation.
One of our 2010 renovation projects is renovating social rental units in Nagykanizsa, in a cooperation with the College of Social Theory in Budapest. The renovation is delivered by Habitat volunteer teams as well as university students volunteering with the project, and the tenants themselves.
Volunteer teams are involved in the installation of insulation. This will allow families to save energy and thus money, and to raise their children in a decent home.
Many of the families have had difficulties to pay the rent of their homes. Working with us they can reduce their debt.
This April two buildings with 3-4 units each were insulated, and we are going to work on a third building in August.
Map of Hungary
Budapest, 8th district
One of our 2010 renovation projects is in the 8th district of Budapest, which is a cooperation with Rév8, a local urban rehabilitation organization.
Following the privatization process in the early 1990s, there remained little social rental housing in Hungary which cannot serve a large group of families whose income does not allow them to make use of any other housing solution. The units which are available are often overcrowded.
Volunteer teams will be involved in insulating the windows so that the families can save energy and thus money, as well as in building mezzanines in the units to create more space in overcrowded homes. This way the children of these families will have some space of their own for the first time in their lives!
The project will also include creating bathrooms in the apartments, which will be delivered by Habitat staff and professionals. The families will pay the direct costs of the project back to Habitat.
We at Habitat for Humanity Hungary are very excited at the prospect of helping some very low-income families and improve their homes in ways that will improve their quality of life.
