Why Resilient Housing

The ultimate protection for families

It’s time we look at unsafe housing as the global epidemic it is, threatening one-third of the global population.
Dr. Elizabeth Hausler
CEO and Founder, Build Change

The Resilient Housing Opportunity

By 2030, three billion people – about 40% of the world’s population – will be living in vulnerable housing if we do not act more quickly.

Inadequate housing is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and climate hazards – from fire and flood to windstorms and extreme heat.

As disasters have become more frequent and more severe, houses across the globe are more vulnerable than ever before, and people are paying the price.

Annual Effects

14 million people are made homeless each year due to disasters.

Outlook

40% of the world’s population is projected to live in substandard housing by 2030.

Economic Damage

$175 billion in economic losses caused by disasters during 2020 alone.

Investment in resilient housing must be prioritized if we are to protect people’s health and well-being and better withstand future crises.

That’s where Build Change comes in.

As the global leader for systems change in resilient housing, Build Change protects people and their livelihoods by preventing housing loss caused by disasters and climate-induced events. We work to transform the systems for regulating, financing, building and improving houses around the world.

What we do

Build Change works with homeowners, governments, and finance institutions to strengthen and improve unsafe, inadequate housing.

In order to do this effectively, long-term and at scale, we tackle the root causes that prevent people from living in a safe and resilient home.

We do this through a combination of:

Advocacy and awareness raising, to create demand for resilient housing
Policy reform, to reduce bottlenecks and drive change at scale
Access to finance, like grants and loans, to make resilient housing affordable to everyone
Access to information, to make resilient housing accessible to everyone
Local capacity building, to develop engineering, construction and program expertise

A complete housing solution

Beyond saving lives and resources, resilient housing programs sit at the nexus of the world’s most pressing issues.

HOUSING AND GENDER

Women and children are 14 times more likely to die in a disaster. Build Change works alongside women to create a safer world, opening pathways to opportunity and hope through resilient housing.

HOUSING AND HEALTH

Better housing is better health. Safe housing is foundational for wellness, and means access to running water for washing hands and cooking, a place to study and work, and sturdy protection from earthquakes, hurricanes and other hazards.

HOUSING AND CLIMATE CHANGE

As climate-related disasters have become more frequent and more severe, houses and people across the globe are more vulnerable than ever before, with 40% of the world projected to live in substandard housing by 2030.

HOUSING AND RACIAL JUSTICE

Our approach helps counteract the harms of structural and systemic racism and improves health, well-being, and equity outcomes. We do this by giving access to information, and financing to strengthen homes to withstand the effects of earthquakes, fires, extreme heat, and windstorms.

Resilient Housing is:

DISASTER RESISTANT

Able to protect people and assets in the face of multiple hazards.

HEALTHY AND SECURE

With adequate water, sanitation, ventilation, light, access, space, and security.

AFFORDABLE

Financially accessible for low-to middle-income households.

A FINANCIAL ASSET

And/or a place of business that stimulates economic opportunity by being adaptable to multiple uses, and protecting a family’s property investment.

SUSTAINABLE

Built and/or strengthened through processes that can be scaled and replicated, with minimal environmental footprint.

ADAPTABLE

Can be expanded and adapted to growing populations, shifting demographics, and emerging technology.

LOCALLY APPROPRIATE

Built using materials, skills, and tools that are appropriate for the culture and the climate.

SCALABLE

Able to meet the needs of millions of families through a combination of policy change, and access to finance and technology.

Support resilient housing worldwide

Join us in preventing housing loss caused by disasters and climate-induced events.

Donate now