Solid House Foundation (SHF) was founded in 2003 as a private initiative and has since grown to be a middle-sized organisation. Solid House Foundation is involved in the development and implementation of sustainable, long-term habitat programmes (10-15 years).
What is the SHF’s definition of habitat?
The concept ‘habitus’ was first used by a French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002). He derived the word from ‘habitat’, which comes from Latin and means ‘it resides/inhabits’. In Dutch ‘habitat’ means ‘living environment’.
The habitat of a human being includes the whole living environment where the person lives and is able to provide for his/her living. The living environment includes a combination of resources necessary for people to live: food, water, protection, sanitary facilities, but also safety and recreation. The UN-Habitat Agenda (1996) emphasizes in this context the correlation between the quality of living environment and other developmental goals such as health, education, safety and work. To be able to reach the goals it is essential that a good cooperation exists between individuals, companies, social organisations and governments.
The concept of habitat means for SHF more than just building and development of housing programmes. SHF perceives the concept of habitat as an integral process of ingredients necessary to develop a local community and its quality of life. This philosophy also explains why we have chosen for the long-term habitat programme development based on the integral approach.
We work together with the local population to explore the possibilities of life quality improvement, based on the possibilities and resources available locally. Within this approach, we develop the following aspects:
- socio-economic opportunities for development
- strengthening of entrepreneurship
- social profit
- micro-mortgages
- sustainable solutions for water and sanitation
- environment-friendliness
- adequate, applicable, affordable and sound building techniques
- involvement of local communities
- community building
- research of living conditions and their improvement
- empowerment
- capacity building
- quality of life
- partnership
- trainings and education
These aspects are further explained in themes
The difference between SHF and many other habitat organisations lies in the fact that we thoroughly research the needs and possibilities of involving local communities before we start our programmes. The principle of SHF’s habitat programme is the improvement of life quality based on long-term planning, carried out in phases. It is essential that the sustainable improvement of life quality and living conditions takes place with respect for the natural living conditions of the target group. We do not offer turn key, short-term solutions but focus on the quality rather than quantity. Programmes can be carried out on a larger scale after periodical evaluations, necessary adjustments and improvements. Through this, we can guarantee the highest social output. We want the best for the target group. Evaluation and monitoring always remain a crucial part of the programmes. Also assistance in transferring of the process so that the continuity can be guaranteed is a part of the phased, long-term model.
