#1 Economic Impact
Positive Impacts of Housing a Family:
The Need:
52.3% of the population of Mexico lived below the national poverty line. Source: The World Bank Group 2012
20% of homes (5.4million households) exist in inadequate conditions. Of these, 58% (3.2million homes) need to be rehabilitated, improved or expanded and 42% (2.2million homes) need to be completely replaced. Source: Valencia 2011
1.14 million homes have walls or roofs constructed with flimsy materials. Source: Valencia 2011
A debt-free home helps leverage families out of poverty. Conquering the perceived impossibility of owning a home gives a family confidence for victories in other areas of life and hope for a better future.
With adequate shelter, families are kept warm and healthy. Funds can then be used to purchase resources for school and other necessities.
#2 EDUCATIONAL IMPACT
Positive Impacts of Housing a Family:
A stable home environment encourages learning and promotes academic success. A home with a cement floor improves cognitive development by 36-96%.
Children are more likely to attend and stay in school without the distractions and obstacles that come with homelessness.
Success in school and learning has long-term implications for a person’s future productivity, career prospects and worldview.
The Need:
Children who are homeless are not able to focus on their education among the distractions and hardships that come with their situation. Source: Hand 2010
Homeless children face obstacles including health problems, hunger, transportation difficulties, and lack of necessary school clothing and supplies. These factors are linked to low school attendance rates. Source: Rafferty 1995
#3 Health IMPACT
Positive Impacts of Housing a Family:
The Need:
Preventative health care and medical treatment are improved. A house with a cement floor, as opposed to a dirt floor, leads to a 78% reduction in parasitic infestations, 49% reduction in diarrhea and 81% reduction in anemia. Disease, injury and physical ailments from exposure are significantly lessened.
The stability and safety of a home environment are important for establishing and maintaining mental health and welfare, significantly lowering rates of depression and perceived stress. Quality of life is increased for a family living in a home.
Lack of personal hygiene, good nutrition, basic first aid, access to adequate health care and funds for medical treatment result in the complex health situation of families without homes. Source: National Coalition for the Homeless 2009
Diseases that are common among those who are homeless include heart disease, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, skin infections, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Source: O’Connell 2005
#4 Transformational IMPACT
Positive Impacts of Housing a Family:
The Need:
A home provides a safe and welcoming environment for families to invite others in and demonstrate hospitality to their community.
Families are able to function and relate in a healthy manner without the prolonged and persistent traumatic experiences associated with homelessness.
Families without an adequate home, experience rejection and isolation from their communities, leading to a questioning of their own identities and significance. Source: Friedman 2000
Families facing homelessness are more likely to separate or dissolve as they often experience instability, stresses, health and safety challenges and trauma. Source: Hand 2010
#5 spirituAL IMPACT
Positive Impacts of Housing a Family:
The Need:
The gift of a home is a practical demonstration of God’s love for a family.
Families who receive a home are inspired to respond by giving back to others in need, leading to transformed communities.
Families struggling with basic issues of survival find it difficult to see beyond their circumstances. They can experience a sense of loss and hopelessness.
People in need can find it difficult to have faith in the promises of God for relationship, restoration and redemption.