According to the latest shelter cluster report (September 2016), an estimated 14,593 IDP Households or 55,107 IDP Individuals are still living in 31 IDP camps scattered throughout metropolitan Port-au-Prince and the region. This represents more than a 95% reduction in the number of individuals living in camps from the peak of 1.5 million in July 2010.
Over the last five years, much progress has been made in Haiti’s recovery efforts. However, it is important to remember that even before the earthquake, development in Haiti was already very challenging. Today, roads are clear of rubble, livelihood investments are being made, and camps are being closed as families continue to relocate to more permanent housing. The Haitian government’s original plan of action (dated March 2010) recognized that this will be a 20 to 30 year recovery process. While progress has been made, so much more is and will be needed.
Specifically within the housing sector, each element of the value chain has been disrupted and weakened, either by the effects of the earthquake, or by the course of history. Key obstacles include: land tenure, access to housing finance, jobs to support lending activities, skilled construction labor, building code / urban planning enforcement, etc.
Habitat constructed 300 permanent core homes as part of its earthquake recovery program. In addition, we constructed 1,500 upgradable shelters, which are designed to be upgraded into permanent homes. We are currently working toward assisting more than 30,000 families in Canaan. Assistance includes technical support for new home construction. More than 80% of the housing stock in Haiti is built incrementally through steps a family takes over time. This increases the need for affordable skilled construction labor available to families as they decide to direct their precious resources towards improving their living conditions.
In 2011, with support from the Haitian, French, American and Canadian governments, Habitat created the Haiti Property Law Working Group, which is composed of legal experts, donor agencies, businesses and other NGOs. To address long-standing land issues—an essential step in helping people gain access to housing ―the working group published The Haiti Land Transaction Manual, Vol. 1, which documents how to buy and sell land in Haiti; and Manual, Vol.2, which focuses on different tenure types. The manuals also helps Haitians, NGOs and international investors navigate the complex bureaucratic legal system and secure property―a critical first step to permanent reconstruction.
To learn more about the HPLWG visit their website and download the currently land law manuals http://www.landlawshaiti.org
Soon after the 2010 earthquake, Habitat for Humanity set a goal to serve 50,000 families affected by the earthquake over a five-year period. In 2013, Habitat met this goal, two years earlier than planned. Our work in Haiti is far from done, however. Today, we continue to focus our efforts on land tenure reform, training, capacity building and community rebuilding to help more Haitian families move into safe, permanent homes. Building on our 30-year history in Haiti, we have a long-term view of our mission. We are committed to continuing our work in the country and reaching more families and communities in need of simple, decent and affordable housing and better living conditions.
Helping families on their pathway to permanence Habitat is focused on 4 main areas:
Helping families on their pathway to permanence Habitat is focused on 4 main areas:
Habitat’s current projects experienced minimal damage. The largest affected area in the southern peninsula of Haiti did not previously have a Habitat presence. Habitat Haiti will continue to assess the housing need in the impacted area and pursue a full range of funding and partner options in order to mount a disaster recovery effort. Utilizing partnerships in the south, Habitat has been participating in the long term recovery efforts serving families with shelter repair kits and construction technical assistance.
An essential component of our overall work in Haiti continues to be the employment of local workers to support the local economy in a country with an unemployment rate of more than 60 percent. Local employment will remain a priority for work opportunities as a general policy. However, we are currently reviewing the feasibility and security considerations towards launching a small-scale volunteer program in Haiti (which will likely be directed towards skilled volunteers) and hope to have more information about the program in the near future.