SANTO DOMINGO.- In the Dominican Republic, the housing deficit amounts to 1,400,000, according to data from Habitat for Humanity, which reveals that around 73% is of a qualitative type, meaning that the number of inadequate housing is greater than the number of families without housing.
For Cesarina Fabián, national director of Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic, the country's deficit is measured from two scenarios: the difficulty families have in acquiring housing because they are outside the contributory system; and the need to provide a response to the population so that they have access to resilient and safe housing.
Fabián explains to El Inmobiliario that, while it is true that the Government has initiatives that allow families from different socioeconomic strata to acquire their first home, accessing housing projects through subsidies, there is still much to be done, because there are still a large number of people who do not even have access to one of these social housing units.
Cesarina Fabián. (External source).
“To change this situation, these state subsidies can be complemented with microfinance. That is, housing loans that are not backed by mortgages; but rather follow the basic principles of microfinance with small loan amounts, relatively short terms, and alternative guarantees,” the executive suggests.
He adds that work needs to be done on financial education with the aim of raising awareness among citizens, and in particular, among decision-makers, so that families can organize their finances and carry out their housing projects gradually.
Fabián explained that since Habitat for Humanity arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1986, they have directly impacted more than 17 provinces of the country, where there are communities that share low socioeconomic indicators, and where the demand for decent housing is a priority.
“The fundamental needs of these communities are related to improvements in floors, roofs, and access to basic services such as water; and, above all, access to safe and resilient housing in an environment impacted by climate phenomena. Since Habitat for Humanity arrived in the Dominican Republic, we have worked precisely to guarantee decent housing for Dominicans, through access to microloans and subsidies for the construction and improvement of residences,” the representative explained.
Between July 2023 and July 2024, Habitat for Humanity built and improved homes for more than 42,000 people; this represents a total of 8,500 housing solutions.
With these resources, more than 22 communities in 8 provinces of the country have been impacted: Santo Domingo Norte, Santo Domingo Este, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, Sabana de la Mar, Miches, San Cristóbal, Montecristi, San Juan, Azua, among others, explained Fabián.
“One of the biggest challenges we face in continuing this work is to further develop public-private partnerships that contribute to the promotion of organized, engaged, and empowered communities. Our responsibility as an organization is to provide support and collaboration to address the qualitative housing deficit in the country. This entails a great commitment and, above all, responsibility, because it requires the participation and consensus of all stakeholders.”.
