Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization committed to the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. In India, it began its work in 1983, positively impacting the lives of over 1.85 million individuals across 27 states. The organization believes that safe and affordable housing plays an important role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Habitat for Humanity partners with developers and local communities to assist low-income and marginalized families in building homes, accessing housing-related services, and raising awareness about the importance of adequate housing and sanitation.
Core Areas of Focus
- Decent Shelter: Building and improving safe and affordable homes.
- WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Increasing access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Response: Assisting communities in recovery and rebuilding after disasters.
By promoting innovative approaches like manufactured sand, construction chemicals, roofing solutions, and housing finance, the center addresses key challenges in the housing sector. It also supports climate-adaptive solutions, such as heat-reflective coatings, and encourages startups through the ShelterTech platform to pioneer affordable housing technologies.
Driving Affordable Housing through Advanced Construction Chemicals
Habitat for Humanity has made significant strides in the field of construction chemicals to support affordable housing. Through its Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, the organization has explored and integrated innovative construction chemicals that improve both the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of housing. For example, Habitat has promoted the use of climate-adaptive solutions, such as heat-reflective coatings and advanced water-resistant materials, which enhance the durability of homes while lowering maintenance costs.
Habitat for Humanity India has partnered with construction chemicals companies to improve the quality and sustainability of the homes they build for underprivileged families. By utilizing advanced construction chemical solutions, such as durable materials for stronger, longer-lasting structures. Partnerships with companies like Chryso India provide key support, including admixtures for concrete, ensuring that the homes are both affordable and safe for the families who need them.
In regard to advancing the use of construction chemicals, a workshop on “Unlocking Potential: The Role of Construction Chemicals in Affordable Housing”, was jointly organised by Habitat for Humanity along with Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Branch at Hotel Taj, Chennai.
About the Workshop
The workshop brought together industry experts, stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the importance of construction chemicals in enhancing the durability, resilience, and affordability of housing for underprivileged communities. Through detailed presentations and interactive panel discussions, the workshop explored different solutions to address challenges in affordable housing.
The workshop featured a series of sessions, beginning with the inaugural address by Mr. Deepak Viswanathan, Senior Technical Advisor, Habitat for Humanity International, followed by special addresses from Mr. D. Jeevanandam, Scientist-D, BIS, and Mr. Kartheck Pandiyan, General Secretary of the Construction Chemicals Manufacturers Association. Presentations by Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, represented by Mr. Ashwin Rao, and technical insights from BIS, delivered by Mr. Arun Pucchakayala, provided valuable perspectives on improving housing quality using innovative construction chemicals.
The workshop also included panel discussions, moderated by Mr. Varun Pujari and Mr. Kartheck Pandiyan, featuring industry leaders such as Mr. Pushparajan (PUPA Chemicals), Mr. J Srinivas Prasad (La Greens India Pvt. Ltd.), and Mr. Ravi Rangaswami (Waterproofers Association of India). These discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration in using construction chemicals for climate adaptation and durability in affordable housing. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks from Mr. Prasanna Sriraman, emphasizing the joint efforts of all participants in advancing affordable and resilient housing solutions.
Habitat for Humanity is driving affordable housing solutions globally by leveraging innovative construction techniques and fostering collaboration. Workshops like the one in Chennai highlight the importance of partnerships and advanced solutions in creating safe, inclusive, and sustainable homes.
About Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter
The Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, a unit of Habitat for Humanity International, works with housing market systems by supporting local firms and expanding innovative and client- responsive services, products and financing so that households can improve their shelter more effectively and efficiently. The ultimate goal of the Terwilliger Center is to make housing markets work more effectively for people in need of decent, affordable shelter, thereby improving the quality of life for low-income households. To learn more, visit habitat.org/tcis.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in U.S.A. Since its founding in 1976, the housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific.
