In the United States, we don’t often consider the impact of housing on individual economic growth, but research shows that safe and affordable housing is a key factor in one’s ability to succeed financially and professionally, reducing housing expenses and freeing up additional discretionary income for other urgent needs, like education and food. Research has also linked affordable housing to broader economic growth, including job creation, increased tax base, reduced foreclosure rates, increased worker retention and increase in the buying power of residents.
In Honduras, 5 million households rely on another family for shelter, 3 million live in houses that are beyond repair, and 34 million live in houses that lack one or more of the following: title, water, sewage, adequate flooring, and sufficient space. Honduras also faces a 39% crime rate and one of the highest homicide rates in the Americas. This suggests that dealing with insecurity and poor living conditions is a daily reality for many Hondurans, creating unstable, unsanitary, and unproductive conditions under which children and adults alike are developing.
ALF believes in the power of community, and our model unites the concept of affordable housing with community development, drawing on the benefits of a safe and dignified shared space to develop relationships between community members. We also value responsibility and accountability within our communities, which is why our homeowners are not provided with an entirely free home, rather with an affordable and accessible home they can purchase. Residents must make regular loan and HOA payments, attend financial counseling sessions, and are invited to participate in community gatherings, activities, and meetings. Our goal is to develop the entire individual through a community lens, giving residents the opportunities to bolster their own livelihoods and financial capacities while investing deeply into their broader community.
Our dignified affordable housing options give each homeowner their own land, home, and hopes for a secure future. We provide a public church, school, library, and park on the property, creating wraparound services that develop the residents holistically. There is an HOA managed by the community members themselves, developing a greater sense of ownership over not only their home, but the living standards and communal culture that will define Los Sueños: The Dreams for years to come. Residents vote on rules and regulations, future projects, and community activities, increasing understanding of civic participation as well.
Los Sueños: The Dreams is a vision of a better world for all. We believe that this model of community development is sustainable and addresses the broader issues causing families to live paycheck-to-paycheck, providing the safety, education and housing security that reduce instability and promote wellness for all.