How does housing affect wealth?
Housing cost is the biggest contributor to the cycle of poverty in Asia.
A home opens the door to economic stability.
Asia statistics:
-
In India, more than 78 million people live in poor housing conditions, and families without decent housing are exposed to greater personal and environmental risks, are less nourished and have less access to health care.
-
Seven of the top 20 nations most vulnerable to extreme weather impacts are Asia-Pacific countries, and in 2022, disasters led to 32.6 million internal displacements worldwide, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 70% of the total
-
Many cities in the region are among the least affordable globally, with median home prices exceeding 20-25 times household income in places like Hong Kong, and country examples like Cambodia, where 42.3% of Cambodia's urban population lives in slums as of 2022, and an additional 1.1 million houses will be needed by 2030.
Ms Pit's Story
"My family and I faced many challenges with my home. We didn’t have a proper place to eat and sleep."
Ms. Pit, and her husband live with their two young sons in Cambodia, in a small, unsafe wooden shelter measuring 4 meters x 4 meters. The house had minimal protection from rain, wind, and heat and they struggled to sleep daily.
The couple longed for a safer home but lacked the finances as their income relied on unstable and irregular jobs, mainly in construction and seasonal agricultural work. Together, they only earn about USD 150 - 200 per month.
In July 2025, the family received support from the dedicated Global Village volunteers from Singapore, upgrading the house for Ms. Pit and her family.
"Now, I can start growing a small multi-vegetable garden around my home with gourds, long beans, bananas and raise some chickens to provide fresh meals for my family."
With a stable home, Pit and her husband have more time and energy to focus on their work. Together, they now earn between USD 350 - 400 per month and can begin saving for the future.
