Poverty in Latin America is an urgent and often invisible injustice. Fortunately, youth-led, community-driven action can and does generate real and lasting change. Through TECHO US, a global nonprofit organization, people in the United States can help improve housing solutions for low-income families. Not only can individuals support the mission, but they can also become part of a collective effort that combines dignity, solidarity, and concrete action alongside communities.

TECHO was born in response to the scale and urgency of urban poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to data from ECLAC (CEPAL), over 170 million people, nearly 27% of the population, live in poverty or extreme poverty, and more than 93 million people live in informal settlements. This is indicative of the region’s extreme inequality, where families are forced to live without access to basic services, infrastructure, or the opportunities cities are meant to provide.

For TECHO, this reality is not abstract; it is viewed with a pressing sense of urgency. This conviction inspired a youth-led movement committed to taking concrete action alongside communities to address poverty and promote dignity, opportunity, and long-term change.

What Is TECHO US? Providing Safe Housing for Families

TECHO US is a youth-led nonprofit established in 1997 that has collaborated with communities in informal settlements across Latin America and the Caribbean for over 28 years. Over its history, TECHO has engaged more than 1.6 million volunteers, built over 150,000 emergency homes, and expanded into 18 countries across the region.

The team’s extensive on-the-ground experience provides a deep understanding of poverty as both an urgent issue and a structural injustice. Based in the United States, TECHO US concentrates on raising awareness, mobilizing resources, and offering meaningful ways for people to get involved through partnerships, fundraising, and immersive volunteer programs.

Obstacles Overcome: Global Nonprofit Organization

One of TECHO’s main challenges has been securing sustained funding to scale construction of emergency housing and community projects. While the need is vast, long-term growth depends on engaging committed ‘believer’ investors and partners who understand poverty as a structural issue and are willing to support solutions beyond short-term aid. TECHO has addressed these challenges by building strong partnerships, investing in transparency and measurable impact, and fostering a regional volunteer network rooted in purpose, solidarity, and hands-on engagement.

Furthermore, TECHO is distinguished by its capacity to respond swiftly and with depth. By mobilizing a large number of volunteers, TECHO can rapidly construct emergency housing and community projects within days, all the while focusing on the human transformation that occurs through direct, face-to-face interactions.

A Better Tomorrow: Housing as a Human Right

TECHO became the first organization to receive the World Habitat Award for Outstanding Contribution to Housing. The team has been responsible for changing the lives of over 150,000 families across the continent, equipping them with decent homes and directly contributing to a tangible decline in poverty rates.

As Matilde, a Mexico-based beneficiary of the program, said, “Now I’ll be at peace knowing my children can sleep comfortably. It’s a lot of emotions.’’

Moving forward, TECHO US is committed to expanding its efforts in a focused and effective manner. By 2030, the team aims to improve the quality of life for 1 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean who no longer live on mud floors by mobilizing 2 million volunteers.