world habitat day

World Habitat Day is a United Nations-designated event held on the first Monday in October each year. This is a day set aside to recognize the increasing need for decent, affordable housing worldwide.  This year, World Habitat Day (WHD) will be held on Monday, October 3rd.

From this year's WHD Handbook, here are a few statistics:

+ 1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter -- 1 billion of whom live in slums (UN-HABITAT: 2006)

+ The number of people living in slums is expected to increase to 2 billion by 2030 (UN-HABITAT: 2006)

+ As of 2008, 18.6 million households in the United States were spending more than 50% of their income on housing (JCHS 2010)

+ There is not a single county in the United States where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford even a one-bedroom apartment at what HUD determines to be the Fair Market Rent. (NLIHC: 2006)

+ Owner-occupied housing has a beneficial effect on the local economy by increasing consumer spending, providing tax revenues and fees, and growing businesses and jobs. Building additional homes requires additional employees, goods, and services from the general economy (JCHS 2006)

+ Habitat for Humanity partners with lower-income families to build and repair safe, decent and affordable housing  through 2300 affiliates in 90 countries worldwide

+ On October 3, 2011, Habitat for Humanity will dedicate our 500,000th home in Kenya and raise the walls on our 500,001st home in New Jersey

So how can you get involved?

Wear your Habitat shirts, start a poster campaign at your school, make a donation, hold a fundraiser, volunteer with us, pray for us, write an article for your local paper or blog – the ideas are endless!

On Saturday, October 8^th our two ReStore locations will be holding a free E-Waste Recycling Event from 10am to 3pm to promote an environmentally-friendly, responsible lifestyle as well as to promote the work of Habitat for Humanity in the San Gabriel Valley.  Bring your electronics – regardless of their condition – to dispose in a safe way; all proceeds will benefit SGVHFH.


ReStore locations:
410 South Irwindale Avenue, Azusa 91702
770 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena 91106
626-387-6900


To learn more about World Habitat Day, please visit http://www.habitat.org/getinv/events/whd/

another earthquake

On September 18th, a 6.8 earthquake hit northern India and Nepal.  Hundreds of people have been affected by structural damage and power outages, with relief efforts thwarted by heavy rains and landslides. Over 250 homes have been destroyed in Nepal alone.  The death toll is close to 100, mostly in northeastern India, and has been reportedly mostly due to collapsed housing.

As a recent visitor to Nepal through our tithe partnership and the Everest Build last year, our affiliate is especially concerned about our loved ones in the area.  Please pray for the communities' speedy recovery and for the families of those who have died.