World Habitat Day

I was recently contacted by a representative from Habitat for Humanity asking me to help them publicize a collaboration between the United Nations and Habitat for Humanity on October 4th. This is World Habitat Day. From the World Habitat Day website:

The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October as annual World Habitat Day.

On Oct. 4, 2010, in recognition of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity will raise awareness of the need for improved shelter and highlight Habitat’s priorities: the worldwide connection between human health and housing, and, in the United States, neighborhood revitalization. These themes echo the United Nations’ chosen theme for 2010 for events in the host city of Shanghai, China and the rest of the world: “Better City, Better Life.”

Every week, more than a million people are born in, or move to, cities in the developing world. As a result, the urban population of developing countries will double from 2 billion to 4 billion in the next 30 years. (Kissick, et al: 2006)

By the year 2030, an additional 3 billion people, about 40 percent of the world’s population, will need access to housing. This translates into a demand for 96,150 new affordable units every day and 4,000 every hour. (UN-HABITAT: 2005)

Habitat for Humanity hopes that by raising awareness and advocating for universal decent housing we can dismantle and alter the systems that allow for poverty housing and make an affordable, decent place to live a reality for all...

I have been a fan (and occasional donor when I can) to Habitat for Humanity. Founded by President Jimmy Carter, they have helped build houses for people all over the world, including in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

Jimmy Carter helping to build a house in the aftermath of Katrina:



I think Jimmy Carter kicks ass, and it is work like this (among MANY other things) that earned him the recognition of a Nobel Peace Prize. And Jimmy Carter's example has been followed by many. Here is Liz Jones, Democratic candidate for State Assembly building a Habitat for Humanity home in America:



Members of the Dumont Democratic Club of New Jersey helping out Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County:



More on Habitat for Humanity:




Habitat for Humanity World Habitat Day events:

Around the world, many Habitat for Humanity local offices have organized World Habitat Day events. Habitat for Humanity’s 27th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is a World Habitat Day event this year. It will be held Oct. 4 – 8 in six cities in the United States. Held in a different location each year, Habitat’s Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is an annual, internationally-recognized week of building that brings attention to the need for simple, decent and affordable housing. This year, the Carters will work alongside volunteers in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore and Annapolis, Md.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; and Birmingham, Ala. to build, rehabilitate and improve 86 homes.

* To see a list of other Habitat World Habitat Day events, click here.
* To view online resources available for download, click here.
* To join Habitat's World Habitat Day Photo Wall, click here.

Health and housing

Habitat’s World Habitat Day efforts will focus on the link between housing and health, for example, through the release of the 2011 Shelter Report, which focuses on the need for more research on the connections between healthy homes and healthy families around the world.

Neighborhood revitalization

In the United States, Habitat for Humanity will also focus on neighborhood revitalization. In a broad effort to help communities fulfill their aspirations, Habitat will expand its housing programs to include repairing more homes, rehabbing more vacant homes, and improving the energy-efficiency of homes. Habitat will work with partners to provide holistic improvements in a community.

Please spread the word about Habitat for Humanity and if you can help out, please click on the links above, donate here, or go here for more information.