India CSR News Network
MUMBAI: Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group, has joined hands with Habitat for Humanity India for building 40 new homes for the tribal families in Dahanu, Maharashtra. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that aims to eliminate poverty housing by providing shelter to the families in need. This project aims to support families with safe, secure and affordable housing.
The tribal population in Dahanu lives in kutcha houses that are in a dilapidated condition and the families do not have the resources to build new homes or repair or improve their houses. Numerous families stay in houses that are on the verge of collapsing. By building 40 new homes, this project will impact the lives of 200 individuals and will offer them a safer future.
Speaking about the initiative, Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity India said, “India’s need for decent homes is growing day by day. Maharashtra itself will need to build 10 million houses by 2022 across rural and urban regions to end the shortage. Partnering with Tata Capital is a historic step for Habitat for Humanity India as it paves the way for us to provide permanent housing solution to those living in poverty housing. We are hopeful that in future we will be able to reach out to more families to build homes.”
Avijit Bhattacharya, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Capital, said, “Tata Capital strongly believes in its brand promise to ‘do right’, especially by giving back to society. One of the pillars of our CSR policy has been empowering sustainable livelihoods and our partnership with Habitat for Humanity India is a step in this direction. We hope that, through this partnership, we are able to jointly improve the lives of a section of the community and work towards supporting leading initiatives by the Government as well.”
The local community in Dahanu will also undergo Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) sessions on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) that encourage the use of individual toilets resulting in reduced or total elimination of open defecation and improved health.
The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s schemes of ‘Housing for All’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by the Prime Minister, to build adequate shelter and to make India free of open defecation.
