Women Build Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the Women Build program?
Answer: Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women to make a difference by building homes and communities. The program seeks to encourage women volunteers to further the home-building mission of Habitat for Humanity. Since Women Build’s official creation in 1998, Women Build volunteers have constructed more than 1,200 homes around the world. And more homes are being built each year. In 2006, approximately 32,000 volunteers helped build an additional 160 Women Build houses. In 2007, more than 200 Women Build homes were completed.

Question: How can I get involved with the Women Build program?
Answer: There are a number of Habitat affiliates that construct Women Build houses on a regular basis. Many of these events are listed in Habitat's Special Events database. Select event type "Women Build" for a listing of events around the country.

Many women are already involved with Habitat, even though they may never enter a construction site. Habitat affiliates cannot fulfill their mission to build and renovate simple, decent houses without the support and assistance of women from their local communities.

If you do not find a Women Build project near you, contact your local affiliate. It may be that the affiliate has done a Women Build project in the past and/or is planning one in the near future. You might be able to help them prepare for the next Women Build house. Other women will be interested as well and you could get started by coordinating a “Women Build Workday” to gain construction skills while working on a Habitat house as a build-up to constructing an entire Women Build house.

If you want to start a Women Build project, begin by contacting Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build department at womenbuild@habitat.org so we can help you with training, promotional and organizational materials.

Question: What is the Women Build training program?
Answer: The Women Build training program teaches women volunteers how to construct decent, affordable housing with Habitat affiliates worldwide. Training is available in most areas. Contact womenbuild@habitat.org to find out about the next training offered in your area.

Women Build is not about excluding men. It is about including women and opening new doors of opportunity. Men are often involved in our training programs and build projects in supportive roles and as subcontractors when women from the necessary trades are not available.

Question: Does Habitat promote feminist issues?
Answer: Decent, affordable housing is not a feminist issue. It is a quality of life and basic human dignity issue facing families everywhere. The Women Build department of Habitat for Humanity International has one mission, and that is to empower women to take action against poverty housing conditions. Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to address in a concrete way the housing crisis facing millions of women and children across the globe. The more people we can train to become effective volunteers, the better equipped we will be to fight poverty housing – and we are training women to do just that.

At the same time, Women Build supports the advocacy programs of Habitat for Humanity International by collecting information regarding challenges that face women worldwide, in particular the question of property rights. Women Build is exploring partnerships with several Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in developing countries to assist them in bringing the full rights and responsibilities of homeownership to women.

Question: How do homeowners feel about their homes being built by women?
Answer: The homeowners are thrilled to finally have a home, and women of all ages have proven themselves capable in the construction of homes. For single mothers, a Women Build is even more empowering. Women and men alike have great respect and gratitude for the women volunteers and for the skills they acquire working side by side.

Question: What do you do if there is a male homeowner?
Answer: Male homeowners build right alongside women volunteers.