Building more homes at our homeless shelter in South Africa.

Vulnerable families and individuals previously living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions now reside in clean, dry, and dignified homes built for CHF 5,000 (family homes) or CHF 2,500 (single-room homes). These homes provide the stability needed to access education, employment, and healthcare, helping residents reintegrate into society. In the long term, the project contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing homelessness by restoring dignity and creating a foundation for self-sufficiency in underserved communities.

Many vulnerable families and individuals in rural South Africa live in dilapidated, overcrowded, or unsafe structures that lack basic sanitation, insulation, and weather protection. These conditions endanger their health, dignity, and ability to break free from poverty. The core challenge is to replace these unsafe dwellings with structurally sound, bungalow-style homes made from sustainable local materials. However, the need far exceeds our current capacity. With limited resources and high demand, we must scale our efforts to build as many homes as possible, at CHF 5,500 per family home and CHF 2,500 per single-room unit, to restore dignity, safety, and hope for those most at risk.

Immediate action is needed as families with young children and elderly individuals are currently living in unsafe, cold, and often mould-infested sheds. These conditions pose a serious threat to their physical health, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses, infections, and chronic conditions. Just as critically, the constant struggle to survive in such environments takes a heavy toll on mental health, especially for children and the elderly. If this situation is not addressed now, it will lead to worsening health outcomes, deepened poverty, and continued social exclusion. There is an urgent need to replace these unsafe shelters with safe, warm, and dignified homes to protect lives, restore hope, and offer a foundation for long-term recovery and reintegration into society.

Swiss4Afrika will continue working with Wendy Lane, a trusted South African manufacturer of sustainable bungalow-style homes who has successfully built for us in the past. The project will focus on replacing unsafe, overcrowded shelters with durable, weather-resistant homes made from local materials. Family homes cost CHF 5,500 and single-room units CHF 2,500. We will prioritise vulnerable families with young children and elderly members, ensuring rapid and fair allocation. Using our existing network, experience, and streamlined processes, we can deliver safe homes quickly and cost-effectively. Our team will oversee project coordination, quality control, and follow-up to ensure each home meets basic health and safety standards. This approach combines proven construction capacity, local knowledge, and social impact to meet urgent housing needs and restore dignity to those living in inhumane conditions.

We work with Wendy Lane to build our homes. https://wozawendylane.co.za/

In the short to medium term, the project will result in the construction of safe, sustainable bungalow-style homes for families currently living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Measurable outputs include the number of homes built and individuals rehoused. The direct benefits for the target group include improved physical health, mental well-being, safety, and dignity, especially for children and the elderly. In the long term, the project helps break the cycle of poverty by providing a stable foundation for education, employment, and social reintegration. On a societal level, it reduces homelessness, relieves pressure on public health systems, and fosters stronger, more resilient communities. Swiss4Afrika’s proven relationship with Wendy Lane ensures fast, quality delivery, making the project effective, scalable, and impactful.

What makes this project unique is its direct, tangible impact, moving a homeless person from a cold, unsafe shelter into a dignified home is transformative. Swiss4Afrika is the only Swiss NPO focused on minority groups in South Africa, addressing a critical gap left by local and international aid structures. We work in South Africa because we know the country, the communities, and the cultural context deeply. Our team combines local knowledge, proven partnerships, and a hands-on approach, ensuring that every home built reaches the right people quickly and cost-effectively. With a strong track record, support from the Swiss Embassy, and trusted construction partners like Wendy Lane, grant-making foundations can have full confidence in our ability to deliver measurable, lasting change.