Habitat for Humanity to commemorate World Habitat Day on Oct. 1

ATLANTA, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity is hosting hundreds of global events to take action and help raise awareness about the issue of poverty housing in communities and the need for decent housing around the world. World Habitat Day, marked this year on Oct. 1, is designated by the United Nations as a time to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter of all people.

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This year, Habitat for Humanity is urging supporters to go online and sign the "Pledge to End Poverty Housing." This virtual petition calls on key decision-makers to commit to recognizing the role of housing in communities, making affordable, adequate housing a priority and changing the systems and policies that lead to poverty housing.

"With so many families struggling to find a decent place to call home, World Habitat Day helps to raise awareness on how inadequate shelter impacts entire communities," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Ending substandard housing will require the public, private and social sectors to work together so that everyone benefits. Uniting around improved housing for all can help us to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live."

Habitat for Humanity's theme for World Habitat Day 2012, "Many Homes, One Community," highlights the vital role that decent and affordable housing plays in community stabilization and development.

Throughout October and November, Habitat for Humanity and affiliated organizations from around the world will host hundreds of events in honor of World Habitat Day -- from builds and flash mobs to parades, contests, housing forums and everything in between -- to draw attention to the need for safe, decent, affordable shelter for all. Habitat for Humanity's two-month observance of the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter and the pivotal role of housing in community development will culminate with Habitat's flagship annual event, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The 29th annual Carter Work Project returns to Haiti as part of its two-year effort to strengthen and support Habitat's work there.

The United Nations established World Habitat Day in 1985 to spotlight the need for adequate shelter worldwide. On the first Monday in October each year, Habitat for Humanity affiliates and national organizations raise their collective voice, take action to change the systems, policies and attitudes that lead to poverty housing, and engage partners in solutions.

The International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat, will be observed on the last Sunday in September, as a prelude to World Habitat Day. The Day of Prayer seeks to engage the entire faith community in a dedicated time of prayer and reflection for those in need of shelter.

Some of the events hosted by Habitat for Humanity include:

• Bogota, Colombia -- Habitat for Humanity International was among the organizers of the Forum on Adequate Housing in Latin America and the Caribbean, a multi-sectoral event focused on defining practical and innovative solutions for ensuring access to adequate housing in sustainable and inclusive cities, on Sept. 25-28.
   
•  Reading, Pa. -- Students in local school districts will be allowed to donate $1 to wear a hat to school on Oct. 1 for "Hats On for Habitat" Day, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Berks County.
   
• Charlottesville, Va. -- Habitat's Youth United program is hosting a Lego Build at the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. Students from local schools will receive a handful of Legos to build models of Habitat houses from around the world.
   
• La Verne, Calif. -- Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity will be partnering with student groups to raise awareness about families who live in informal settlements. Participants will build cardboard shelters that they will sleep in.
   
• Warsaw, Poland -- Habitat for Humanity Poland will present a photo exhibition in a Warsaw metro station depicting the realities of poverty housing.
   
• Dickinson, Texas -- Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will partner with Bay Area-Houston Habitat for Humanity to frame a new home Oct. 3-4 in honor of World Habitat Day.
   
• Philadelphia -- A "flash mob" of Habitat volunteers will descend on Center City Philadelphia to frame a house. Passersby will be invited to sign the newly framed walls in a show of support for Habitat.

For a full list of World Habitat Day events or to sign the "Pledge to End Poverty Housing," please visit www.habitat.org/whd/2012.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International