Foundation
It was created by the Belgian priest Josse van der Rest Emsens sj (1924 – 2020) being its concern and main mission to help the most vulnerable urban families.
Since the 70s to the present, the tireless work of our foundation has maintained and projected this work whose objective is to promote and finance initiatives for housing and habitat projects for extremely poor families in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
“The problem is not the house, but the land. With a piece of land the poor man is able to build his home."
Josse van der Rest Emsens sj.
Mission
Help the poorest of the poor to access land titles and basic housing, so they can embrace their future with the dignity of having a stable home.
Vision
We are a non-profit organization that supports the construction of new basic, incremental or emergency housing, as well as the renovation or repair of precarious housing with financing, technical assistance, strategic alliances and training material.
Our approach includes access to water and sanitation systems as a prerequisite so that families live in more dignified and safe living conditions. We stimulate the development of neighborhoods and improvements in urban habitat for extremely poor families.
We insist on the importance of obtaining the property title for the beneficiaries and especially for women heads of household. Our geographical scope includes developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia and the projects aim at the joint participation of civil society, public and private institutions.
Values that move us
Justice
Promote the right of all families to Access to land
Solidarity
Seek strategic alliances with Social, Public and Private Organizations, and promote mutual support between the same families
Quality of life
Every person deserves a decent and safe home
Common benefit
We contribute to the improvement of the housing and urban conditions of the most vulnerable families and the quality of life in their own environment
Inclusion
Promote social, religious and racial integration
Sustainability
Sustainable neighborhoods and habitats. Support clean, sustainable energy projects and especially those that reduce CO2 emissions
Spanish