Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico Review

Summary

Habitat for Humanity has done great work in Puerto Rico building houses and making repairs to damaged homes. Already the organization has built or rehabilitated 38 homes and distributed 2,000 home repair kits throughout the island. Additionally, the nonprofit provides volunteer opportunities all around the island through its various programs. We recommend the organization to anyone interested in hands-on work. Habitat PR is also able to provide support for larger groups of incoming volunteers and its parent organization holds a very strong reputation worldwide.

Type of Volunteer Work

Habitat Puerto Rico's focus is on helping lower-income families become homeowners. It does this by building new homes on donated land or land acquired by monetary donations. Houses are built with the help of volunteers, as well as by private and public donors. Families are selected using non-discriminatory criteria and are required to contribute 400 hours through construction work and educational programs. After their house is fully built, participating families acquire the home with a 25-year mortgage at zero-percent interest and zero profits for Habitat.

Habitat PR also features two special programs that address the other needs of the Puerto Rican people. The first, Toque de Cariño (Touch of Kindness), is aimed at helping those who don't necessarily need a new home, but do need minor housing repairs. The program was created in 2014 and is designed to help families affected by age, disability, or family circumstances and are currently struggling to adequately maintain their homes. The second, Women Build, is designed to empower and women and teens interested in developing construction skills and techniques. Volunteers in this program employ their talents and services while helping families in needs of homes.

Area and Scope of Operation

Habitat Puerto Rico does its volunteer work all over Puerto Rico, but focuses on the eastern half of the island which was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Maria. Habitat PR has rebuilt homes and distributed home-repair kits in municipalities such as Coamo, Arrollo, and Guanica in the south, and Bayamon, Loiza, and Guaynabo in the north. The nonprofit has also provided hurricane relief and other housing services on the island of Vieques, which lies off Puerto Rico's east coast and is reached via ferry.

Volunteer Support

Habitat Puerto Rico does not state on its webpage whether it provides accommodations for volunteers or if it can take in large groups. However, Habitat for Humanity International does mention several ways that the organization provides support for volunteers. With Habitat, volunteers can travel the world, engage in long-term projects, and help as a group–big or small. Habitat International lists the price of their volunteering opportunities, for example, of their Global Village program, which includes in-country transportation, food, accommodations, select activities, and travel medical insurance.

Reputation

Habitat Puerto Rico is an affiliate of the global Habitat for Humanity organization, which works to help individuals and communities alike through homeownership in more than 70 countries and in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the United States. The mission of Habitat for Humanity International, self-described as a "Christian housing ministry," is to address issues of poverty in the world through the building of "simple, decent and affordable housing." The nonprofit organization is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and meets all 20 of its Standards of Charity Accountability.