In June 2025, a team of Habitat KC staff and volunteers embarked on a life-changing Global Village volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic. During this week-long build, our team partnered with Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic and local families to help improve housing conditions and create safer, healthier places to live.
Habitat KC’s Global Village build is fueled by the belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, both in our local communities and around the world.
Meeting Urgent Needs, One Floor at a Time
The Dominican Republic is facing a housing deficit of more than 1.4 million units. In many rural areas, families live in precarious conditions. According to the 2022 National Census, more than 69,000 households still have dirt floors, which puts children and older adults at an increased risk of illness and injury.
Our Global Village build was part of the 100,000 Floors to Play On initiative, focused on replacing dirt floors with concrete in homes where the need is greatest. Priority is given to households headed by women, with children under age 6, older adults, or individuals with disabilities.
By working side by side with local residents, the Habitat KC team helped improve health, increase comfort, and create a safer space for families to thrive.
What We Accomplished
During our one-week Global Village build, the Habitat KC team worked alongside local families to:
- Install six concrete floors in homes that previously had dirt surfaces.
- Complete two full exterior painting projects, adding protection and pride to local homes.
- Improve the living conditions of 29 individuals across six households.
Meet the Families We Partnered With
We partnered with six local families, each with their own unique story and needs. They welcomed us into their homes, worked alongside our team, and reminded us why we build.
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Marianela lives with her husband, who works informally in agriculture, and their three children. She has spent her entire life in Los Guineos.
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Arelis is a homemaker. She lives with her elderly mother, who has a physical disability, and her partner, who works informally in agriculture. Through great effort, they have gradually built their home.
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Rosa lives with her husband, their young son, and her elderly father, who struggles with memory loss. Her husband also works informally in agriculture.
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Marielis and her husband are raising two daughters in their home. Marielis is a homemaker while her husband works as a store clerk in the local community.
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Ana has lived in Los Guineos her entire life. She works informally as a domestic worker and shares her home with her elderly mother and young granddaughter.
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Juan Carlos lives with his wife and their ten children, eight of whom are minors. He works as a store clerk in a neighborhood shop, and his wife is a homemaker.
Committed to Affordable Housing
After just one week in the Dominican Republic, the Habitat KC Global Village team returned with a clear message: safe and stable housing truly changes lives. Our Global Village build shows that whether we’re in KC or the DR, when we come together, we can create a lasting impact.
We’re already planning our 2026 Habitat KC Global Village trip. Together, we’re building a world where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.
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