FAQ
Construction
- Why do you build transitional houses?
- What kind of house do you construct?
- How many volunteers does it take to construct each house?
- How do you choose the beneficiary families?
- Are the families involved?
Transitional houses provide a concrete solution that allows the family to benefit from a private, dignified and protected living space, as well as generating a sense of property and a motivation for saving money. Additionally, the construction process builds bonds of trust between families and volunteers.
We construct pre-fabricated modular houses of 18m2 (3m x 6m), with wood floors and sides and a zinc roof.
Each house is constructed over two days by a team of 8 to 10 volunteers, including two team leaders trained in construction.
The selection of eligible households is done through an evaluation and monitoring process, carried out through visits to the slum. First, volunteers present the project and interested residents fill out a basic socio-economic and housing characteristics survey. Based on this survey we make a preliminary selection of the most needy families, using criteria such as housing conditions, income, family size and composition, health conditions and access to social networks. The final selection is made after further interviews.
Family involvement is central to our approach, since we want the house to be not a gift but rather an opportunity for the family to improve their own situation. In the selection process, we look for families that want to make a real effort to obtain their house, and the family contributes around 10 percent of the total cost of the house (with variations according to the cost of living in each country). We also ask that family members participate in the construction process along with the volunteers.
Social inclusion programs
- What type of social inclusion programs does UTPMP organize?
- How do the Community Meetings work?
- Education: includes tutoring for children, technology and computer skill training for teenagers, adult literacy programs, and parenting skills classes
- Vocational training: includes trades such as cooking, beauty and hair styling, sewing and clothing design, electricity, and plumbing
- Health programs
- Cultural and recreational programs
- Microcredits and business training
UTPMP’s social inclusion programs are centered around weekly Community Meetings, where elected community leaders identify problems, set priorities, brainstorm solutions, and organize programs. Permanent volunteers from UTPMP also attend these meetings to help coordinate activities of the community with those of the organization.
Others
- Where do you work?
- What are slums?
- How is the project financed?
- What are some of your most important partners?
- Is UTPMP a 501(c)(3) public charity?
- How can I contribute?
We work in 18 countries in Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Our headquarters are in Santiago, Chile.
UTPMP defines slums as settlements of eight or more families illegally occupying land and lacking at least one of three basic services: water, electricity or sewage.
UTPMP financing comes from partnerships with businesses, international nonprofit foundations, and individuals, as well as through special campaigns and events. As mentioned above, the beneficiary family always contributes around 10 percent of the total value of the house.
International Development Bank/Multilateral Investment Fund, Deloitte, Banco Santander, LAN Airlines, Chevron, Arauco, Dakar, and Young & Rubicam.
Yes, Un Techo para mi País is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
To make a contribution or set up a partnership with UTPMP, please email recursos@untechoparamipais.org
