Habitat for Humanity Launches Campaign Linking Housing to Health and Economic Growth

By Maurice Momanyi

Habitat for Humanity has launched a new campaign in Kenya aimed at repositioning housing as a key driver of health, economic opportunity and climate resilience, while unveiling two flagship initiatives targeting Maasai communities and jigger-endemic households.
The global “Let’s Open the Door” campaign, launched in more than 60 countries as part of Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary celebrations, seeks to raise awareness of the global housing crisis and promote scalable housing solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.
Launching the campaign in Nairobi on Thursday, Habitat for Humanity Africa Area Vice President Abi Riak said safe and affordable housing should be recognised as a foundation for sustainable development across the continent.
“Housing matters because a home is the foundation upon which people build their lives, communities build resilience, and countries build prosperity,” Riak said, calling for greater collaboration, innovation and investment to expand access to decent housing for millions of African families.
The organisation noted that 53 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s urban population lives in slums, while the region faces a housing deficit of about 56 million units. Globally, one in three people lacks access to safe and affordable housing, with inadequate housing affecting health, livelihoods, climate resilience and overall quality of life.
To demonstrate how housing can address multiple social and economic challenges, Habitat for Humanity Kenya unveiled two initiatives under the campaign.
The first, Opening the Door to Women Building Resilient Manyattas, will empower Maasai women to improve traditional manyattas using climate-resilient and healthier building techniques while preserving cultural heritage. The initiative also seeks to enhance women’s leadership, improve access to water and strengthen climate resilience in pastoral communities.
The second initiative, Opening the Door to Jigger-Free Homes, aims to replace unsafe earthen floors in 10,000 households over the next five years in communities affected by jigger infestations. Habitat for Humanity estimates the programme will directly benefit about 50,000 people by improving health, increasing school attendance, boosting productivity and restoring dignity to vulnerable families.
Habitat for Humanity Kenya National Director Eileen Mokaya said the projects demonstrate that housing can serve as a platform for addressing several development challenges simultaneously.
“Through these initiatives, we are not simply improving houses. We are strengthening women’s livelihoods, improving health and learning outcomes for vulnerable families, preserving cultural heritage, and building resilience to future challenges,” she said.
Riak said the scale of Africa’s housing challenge demands partnerships and innovative solutions capable of reaching millions of families, adding that housing should be placed at the centre of development planning over the coming decades.
According to Habitat for Humanity, Kenya currently faces a housing deficit of about two million units, with annual demand exceeding supply by roughly 200,000 homes, forcing many urban residents to rely on informal settlements and inadequate housing.