What? World Habitat Day is a day for grassroots action, a time for people to unite against substandard housing worldwide.
When? Monday, Oct.4, 2010. The first Monday in October was designated World Habitat Day by the U.N. General Assembly in 1985.
Why? Families face a daily struggle for mere survival. Substandard dwellings leave people vulnerable to disease, crime, malnutrition, and natural disasters. World Habitat Day calls attention to the tremendous need for decent, affordable housing all over the world. It recognizes the basic need all human beings have for adequate shelter.
How many? One billion people, one-sixth of the world’s population, live in deplorable conditions in dilapidated slums and shanty-towns. By 2030, that number is expected to rise to 2 billion.
Who? You. World Habitat Day reminds people everywhere of our collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
Although Austin Habitat for Humanity sees every day as a good day to go to work for affordable housing, World Habitat Day is a special chance to join the rest of the world to emphasize the need for a decent place to live. It’s a special opportunity to exchange ideas, to discover others at work for affordable housing, and to craft creative solutions.
GET INVOLVED:
Advocate: For the second year, Habitat for Humanity is collecting photos to send to leaders in Washington, D.C., to persuade them that adequate housing for all should be a priority.
Last year, the 2009 World Habitat Day photo petition received more than 1,400 photos from dedicated advocates. This year, the goal is to collect more than 3,000 photos from Habitat supporters from around the world.
Austin Habitat for Humanity is submitting photos for the international petition. Please post your photos to our flickr group and we can submit them all together.
Educate: Educate others about the need for affordable housing in the Austin community, as well as the need for improved shelter for billions of people around the world. Email your peers and co-workers and let them know that it is World Habitat Day, or set up an information table about World Habitat Day on your campus or at work. Volunteer at a school in your area and educate youths about HFH and affordable housing, or screen a film concerning poverty housing (e.g.: Slumdog Millionaire) at your school or church.
For information about US and global poverty, as well as the impact of homeownership, see the World Habitat Day handbook.
Our video is a great tool to share with others to communicate the need in our own community.
Fundraise: Organize a bake sale, yard sale, car wash, arts and crafts fair. Host a fundraising dinner at your home. Organize a concert, open mic night, or battle of the bands. In between songs, share statistics with the audience about poverty housing.
Donate to Austin Habitat for Humanity.
World Habitat Day is a great way to raise awareness and raise funds to eradicate poverty housing.
Join with Austin Habitat for Humanity on World Habitat Day.
