Houses Across the World:
United States and Canada


Georgia, U.S.A.
Need in a Land of Plenty Leaves One in Eight Families With a Housing Burden
More than 31 million people in the United States live below the poverty line, including 11 million children. The American labor market yields insufficient incomes for unskilled workers to provide for their families. Couple this with a decline in affordable housing units, and the plight of low-income families begins to surface. Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates that more than 14 million U.S. households pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing. In Canada, cities face similar problems. One-quarter of Montreal residents, for example, spend half their income on housing.

	A leaky roof compromises structural integrity and causes water problems throughout the house. With no ceiling insulation, heat easily escapes, resulting in exorbitant heating bills.
	Many substandard houses in the United States were built before 1978, the last year lead-based paint was permitted in residential construction. This kind of paint, often found on window sills, poses a significant health threat to young children and the elderly.
	A poor foundation results in a high percentage of the problems associated with rotting floors, as water gathers underneath the house, then evaporates into the flooring.
	Poor wiring and other insufficient house systems can become safety hazards, not the least of which are fires and electrical shock.
	If sheathing on the exterior of the house is substandard, moisture enters the wall cavity, leaving mold and mildew and the increased potential for future respiratory problems for family members. Moisture also rots framing members and threatens structural integrity.

Georgia, U.S.A.
Habitat Intensifies its U.S. Reach, Serving Nearly 90 Percent of the Country's Cities
About 1,650 Habitat affiliates are operating across the United States, serving nearly 90 percent of the country. In Canada, 58 affiliates have built more than 630 houses. In the United States, some 43,000 families have partnered with Habitat to build--and then buy--their houses, which shelter approximately 200,000 people. The median price last year for all newly constructed houses in the United States was $176,700, far beyond the reach of low-income families. With an average cost in the United States of $48,537--and an average no-interest monthly mortgage payment of $266--Habitat houses are affordable for families toiling amid substandard housing conditions.

	In Habitat houses, certain measures are in place to reduce the potential for termite attack. For example, according to code, wood cannot be within six inches from the ground, or if it is, it must be rot- and insect-resistant wood. Habitat house foundations also should have a 5 percent grade slope to ensure that water doesn't enter.
	A structurally sound roof with adequate flashing eliminates the risk of water problems. In the United States, 90 percent of Habitat houses have asphalt shingles, and the ceilings are insulated to prevent heat loss and/or gain.
	Strong walls, with sound siding, windows and flashing, prevent moisture from setting in.
	New plumbing saves floors from leaking water and eventual rotting.
	Subfloor insulation keeps heat from escaping, resulting in a more efficiently heated house.