Housing in Crisis: Intervention Models That Actually Work in Humanitarian Contexts
Housing represents one of the fundamental rights and is key to the recovery and stability of communities affected by humanitarian crises. However, in emergency settings, housing responses require specific approaches tailored to needs and available resources. Below, we present a clear and practical guide to the main housing intervention models in crisis contexts, their adequacy criteria, typical costs, and how to measure their success.
- Emergency Shelters
Definition:
Temporary facilities designed to house displaced or extremely vulnerable people, providing immediate shelter and basic health and safety conditions.
When to use them?
In the early stages of a crisis, when communities face mass displacement or the total destruction of their homes.
Suitability Criteria:
- Urgent need for shelter
- Limited resources for medium- and long-term solutions
- Available and safe spaces for rapid deployment
Typical Costs and Resources:
- High daily costs per person, including logistics, transportation, and personnel.
- Necessary Resources: Prefabricated structures, support staff, basic supplies (water, food, hygiene).
Success Indicators:
- Establishment Time
- Number of people housed
- Sanitary conditions and safety of the shelter
- Temporary Housing (Shelters or Prefabricated Houses)
Definition:
These are structures that serve as temporary accommodation for extended periods, designed to offer greater comfort and protection than emergency shelter.
When to Use Them?
When the emergency situation requires a housing solution that lasts for months, but reconstruction or reestablishment of permanent housing has not yet been achieved.
Suitability Criteria:
- Availability of space and resources for installation
- Need for protection against adverse weather conditions
- Community prepared to manage temporary solutions
Typical Costs and Resources:
- Moderate costs, with investment in structure, furniture, and basic services
- Required Resources: prefabricated modules, water and electricity services, construction materials
Success Indicators:
- Installation time
- Inhabitant satisfaction
- Condition of structures after prolonged use
- Rental Support (Subsidies and Rent Payment Programs)
Definition:
This is a model that facilitates access to existing housing for families in crisis through subsidies or financial assistance to pay rent in the local market.
When to use it?
When communities have access to housing in adequate conditions and the main challenge is the economic capacity to afford it.
Adequacy criteria:
- Rental market availability
- Families’ ability to manage payments
- Need for long-term stabilization
Typical costs and resources:
- Costs vary depending on the number of beneficiaries
- Resources: Subsidy funds, payment mechanisms, monitoring, and evaluation
Success indicators:
- Number of families stabilized in housing
- Reduction in displacement or recurrent displacement
- Sustainability of long-term support
- Housing Improvement Kits
Definition:
Packages of materials and tools designed to improve the structure, safety, and sanitary conditions of existing housing, promoting sustainable recovery.
When to use them?
In communities that still have partially damaged or substandard housing, and where housing recovery can be self-sustaining with technical support.
Adequacy criteria:
- Existence of homes with moderate damage
- Families’ capacity to make improvements
- Resources available for technical training
Typical costs and resources:
- Relatively low costs per kit
- Required resources: construction materials, manuals, technical personnel for training
Success indicators:
- Improvements in structural conditions
- Increased safety and health
- Active community participation
Myths and Realities in Housing Intervention in Crisis Settings
- “Only emergency shelters are needed”: It is important to combine temporary and long-term solutions.
- “Temporary housing is a permanent solution”: It is useful in the short and medium term, but must be complemented with sustainable housing plans.
- “Rental subsidies encourage dependency”: They can be effective in stabilizing communities if managed with clear and sustainable criteria.
- “Improving existing housing is always cheaper”: It depends on the level of damage and the scale of the project; in some cases, building new ones may be more efficient.
Each housing intervention model has its ideal timing and context. The key to success in humanitarian contexts lies in assessing specific needs, available resources, and long-term objectives, combining temporary solutions with sustainable strategies. Implementing appropriate and adapted models guarantees not only shelter, but also dignity and the opportunity for recovery for affected communities.
For more information and resources on crisis housing interventions, visit our website https://phocsc.org/
Do you have questions or want to collaborate on crisis housing projects? Contact us and together we can build effective solutions.
