NGO to build permanent houses for poor Homa Bay families

Some poor families in Homa Bay are set to benefit after an organisation set aside Sh11.4 million to build them permanent houses.

Habitat for Humanity Kenya has started constructing houses for families in Rangwe constituency.

Under the programme, HFH Kenya is constructing 12 new permanent houses at Sh950,000 each.

The project is aimed at promoting development by improving living conditions of the vulnerable families and boosting their health.

Vice president of HFH-Africa Maurice Makoloo and HFH  Kenya national director Ruth Odera said they are targeting orphan-headed households and single-headed households.

Odera spoke on Tuesday at Kochiel village in Central Kochia location during construction of a house for Eunice Odwar, a resident.

She said they started the project in Rangwe due to the high poverty index in the area.

Also present was HFH vice president Patrick Kelley.

Other groups are households headed by physically and mentally challenged persons and the poor who earn less than Sh200 per day.

Each house is designed to have two bedrooms, a sitting, kitchen and a toilet.

“We have mobilised for funds and we are going to construct 12 houses in Homa Bay. Through the project, the organisation tries to improve the living standards of the poor ,” Odera said.

The programme will later be replicated in other subcounties in Homa Bay.

“We are also considering sanitation to promote good health and wellbeing of the community. We also do water and sanitation as a component of this programme,” Odera said.

Makoloo said the project is also bridging the housing deficit in Kenya.

HFH-Kenya previously constructed 58 houses in Homa Bay since 2016.

“Statistics indicate that Kenya has a deficit of 2 million units and it keeps growing every year.  We are reducing the gap using this project,” Makoloo said.

Odwar expressed optimism that the project will transform their lives.

“I have been living in a leaking grass thatched house. My children have been sickling due to poor living conditions,” Odwar said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)