The Habitat for Humanity Kenya has spent Sh62 million in constructing modern permanent houses for widows and vulnerable families in Homa Bay.
The organisation has already completed the construction of 72 houses in the county since 2021.
At the moment, they are constructing the 73rd house in Kachar village, Rangwe constituency.
Habitat for Humanity programmes director Nixon Otieno said each of the houses cost Sh850,000.
“Each house has two bedrooms and a sitting room. A toilet has also been constructed for the families to improve sanitation,” he said.
Speaking at Kachar village during the construction of a house for Benta Juma who is a widow, Otieno said they target to build 91 houses in the area by the end of this year.
The construction of the new house started on Monday and will take six weeks to be complete.
The construction of the house in Kachar village was a way of the organisation to commemorate World Habitat Day.
“All construction materials are ready and we expect the house to be complete in six weeks. Each house cost Sh850,000 as this is the 73rd one,” Otieno said.
The projects were started with the aim of improving the living standards of vulnerable families.
Otieno said some families had been living in dilapidated houses, which predisposed them to health risks.
He said the beneficiaries are selected based on their levels of vulnerability.
“You cannot be healthy if you live in a house which is in a deplorable state. And that’s why we started the programme to improve the lives of communities,” Otieno said.
Beneficiary Juma said the project will improve her health besides cushioning her from shame.
“The small house I have cannot accommodate me with my seven children. Some of my children stay with relatives because of the size of the house,” she said.
Assistant chief Everline Otiu said the project is transforming the lives of the residents.
“We have many families that are too vulnerable to afford houses. This project will improve their lives,” Otiu said.
