Our housing projects in India, which started in 1991 have been helping families in need find somewhere safe to live. The plight of our community in India at that time was terrible; many of the families were living in huts or old and run down houses. Between the years of 1991 and 1994, we built 700 apartments and housed so many of our community. This was the first big step we took into eradicating poverty and housing the homeless in Bhavnagar.
In the years that followed, the position of our community members changed slightly. They no longer just needed a living space they could rent. Some families were in a position to work towards owning their own homes, instead of just constantly renting from rich owners. That’s how the Bhavnagar Tenant Housing Project came to fruition. Through this style of project, we have been able to not only house families, but give them a helping hand in changing their lives. Our rent-to-own schemes have been ongoing for over 15 years and we have seen the situation of so many early beneficiaries change drastically. People who were part of our original schemes moved to this rent-to-buy option and now own a big house where they live with their families, and own the apartment which they rent to another struggling family. Our beneficiaries are now helping others in the same way they were helped, creating ‘The Multiplier Effect’.
One beneficiary, Hassan* from our early housing projects is still renting the same apartment. He was unable to take part in the rent-to-own scheme, so he continued to rent a home for himself, his wife, his son and daughter-in-law and his two grandchildren. His son works as a scrap dealer and together, they have saved up enough for the 50% deposit they need for the rent-to-own scheme. He is happy at his home but is struggling to climb up the stairs as he is now a heart patient. He said he wants to give his home back so that another struggling family can benefit and use that as a stepping stone as he has and go on to better things. He is part of ‘The Multiplier Effect’.
Your donation to the Bhavnagar Tenant Housing Project won’t just help one family. Your donation will be recycled to help so many who come after. Hassan’s home was built because of generous donations made over 12 years ago and now, those same donations, are going to help another family. This project creates permanent changes in the lives of the beneficiaries, both now and in years to come.
