Kingfisher and Habitat for Humanity team up to tackle UK housing crisis

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity Great Britain in a new charity partnership which will help tackle the UK’s housing crisis and help provide safe and affordable housing for the most vulnerable people.

This two-year commitment will combine both organisations’ expertise to demonstrate the impact and benefits of converting empty spaces into decent, affordable housing. Kingfisher will fund two programmes:

Kingfisher’s UK colleagues in London, Southampton and Yeovil will also be getting hands-on with volunteering to support Habitat’s work. UK colleagues will be upcycling furniture, making lampshades, and painting tiles that will be used in Habitat’s programmes.

With a growing number of people in temporary accommodation and a decrease in the stock of affordable housing, this partnership comes at a crucial time. 

Henrietta Blackmore, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GB, said:

“Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to have been chosen as Kingfisher’s UK Charity partner. The UK is experiencing a housing crisis that affects all of us, especially the most vulnerable. The last few years have highlighted the critical importance of housing and the role it plays in holding us together as a society. Whether it was the Covid pandemic or the current cost-of-living and energy crisis, it is clear that the lack of quality and energy-efficient housing impacts too many.

“With Kingfisher’s skills and expertise to help us, we will continue to provide better housing for the most vulnerable and address the social housing crisis in the UK.”

Dorothée D’Herde, Director of Responsible Business at Kingfisher, also commented:

“Partnering with Habitat for Humanity gives us another opportunity to live our purpose: Better homes. Better lives. For everyone. Our colleagues are looking forward to contributing to our local communities, putting their DIY skills to the test, and ultimately making a meaningful and tangible impact to improving UK housing over the next two years.”

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About Habitat for Humanity   

Housing poverty is a global problem, and substandard housing is a key obstacle to social mobility, economic opportunity, and better health and wellbeing for over 1.6 billion people around the world. Habitat GB believes everyone should have a decent place to call home. We believe that a decent home helps to permanently break the cycle of poverty and allows families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance. 

Our global projects increase access to housing for millions each year through a range of activities, including direct construction, advocating for land rights and security of tenure, increasing access to housing finance, and improved water and sanitation facilities. Since 1976 we have worked alongside more than 59 million people around the world. 

In Great Britain, we act as a catalyst, testing and piloting ideas and approaches that have the potential to help solve some of the biggest housing problems facing this country. We also look to directly support community partners, helping maintain and improve their housing stock. 

https://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/ 

About Kingfisher plc

Kingfisher plc is an international home improvement company with over 1,900 stores, supported by a team of over 78,000 colleagues. We operate in eight countries across Europe under retail banners including B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt, Screwfix, TradePoint and Koçtaş. We offer home improvement products and services to consumers and trade professionals who shop in our stores and via our e-commerce channels.