Executives Gathering in Focus on Social Housing Construction in Romania at Volunteering Event
Habitat for Humanity Romania, a non-profit organization, recently orchestrated the CEO Build event in Moara Noua, Berceni, Prahova county. The initiative brought together over 60 CEOs and civil society leaders, who traded their usual spreadsheets and meetings for power drills and paint brushes, participating in the construction of homes for vulnerable families [1].
The organization is currently engaged in building four homes for low-income families in Moara Noua, with the aim of addressing the need for social housing [1]. The CEO Build event is part of Habitat for Humanity's broader initiatives, which also encompass accelerated builds of multiple houses in just five days and rehabilitation work [1]. The beneficiary families are involved in the construction process, working side by side with the volunteers.
Habitat for Humanity partneres with municipalities to address the issue of affordable housing. According to Roberto Pațăşcoiu, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Romania, the organization's role is to partner with the municipality to solve an affordable housing problem, which, under Romanian legislation, should be addressed by the municipalities [1]. The municipalities provide the land free of charge and develop the necessary infrastructure, such as roads, water, sewage, electricity, and gas utilities [1]. In turn, Habitat for Humanity takes care of the building process, mobilizing funds and volunteers, and selecting families [1].
To be considered for partnership, more than 10 municipalities are screened every year [1]. The process is long-term, with projects planned for implementation in 2027 or 2028 [1]. The need for social and affordable housing is growing, both locally and globally, and Habitat for Humanity's efforts aim to address this growing demand [1].
According to data from the European Commission, house prices have increased by over 20% since 2015 within the EU, while rents in major cities have risen as much as 48% for a one-bedroom apartment between 2014 and 2023 [2]. The organization believes that better legislation, better funding, and better systems would help local municipalities offer the social housing they are obliged to provide [1].
In addition to social housing, Habitat for Humanity Romania offers energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable families and disaster response aid [1]. The organization also runs a social housing program, renting apartments and providing them to the most vulnerable families at an affordable price or for free [1]. This year, the organization plans to help 2,000 people and expects to do this through legislation allowing companies to redirect 20% of their profit tax to NGOs [1].
Ramona Chiriac, head of the EC representation in Romania, emphasized the importance of decent homes as a matter of human dignity during the event [1]. "Decent housing is not a luxury; it is a foundation for equity, health, education, and hope," she said [1].
- Sources:
[1] Habitat for Humanity Romania. (2023). Event organized by Habitat for Humanity Romania gathers decision-makers to build homes for vulnerable families in Prahova county. https://www.habitat.ro/news/event-organized-by-habitat-for-humanity-romania-gathers-decision-makers-to-build-homes-for-vulnerable-families-in-prahova-county
[2] European Commission. (2021). Housing Europe. https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/commission-work-programme-2021-2024_en.pdf
- Habitat for Humanity Romania is expanding their initiatives to include home-and-garden projects, aiming to enhance the lifestyle of families by providing energy efficiency improvements for their homes.
- The growing demand for social and affordable housing has led Habitat for Humanity Romania to partner with municipalities, not only constructing new homes but also initiating rentals of apartments at an affordable price to ensure a satisfactory home-and-garden lifestyle for vulnerable families.
