Building Hope

Creating safe homes for mothers and children in El Salvador since 2003

Building Homes, Changing Lives

Since 2003, the Dignified Housing program has built safe, stable homes for women and children living in substandard conditions in rural El Salvador. Founded by John and Patsy Smart, the program has helped more than 400 families in the community of El Cedro move from fragile shelters into sturdy homes that support health, safety, and family stability.

Today, we accompany this housing initiative in El Cedro and Quesalapa in collaboration with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the Smart and Cappellari families. These are the same communities where we also provide food assistance to families facing chronic food insecurity. The program builds humble but dignified homes for mothers raising children in unsafe or inadequate housing.

Our role includes accompaniment of families throughout the process, from selection to construction. Families contribute their own labor, working together to transport materials and lay foundations, which strengthens community bonds and shared responsibility. A key principle of the program is that land titles are registered in the woman’s name, helping ensure long-term security for her and her children.

Many families previously lived in homes made of corrugated metal, mud, or bamboo. Moving into a solid, permanent home represents not only physical safety, but dignity, hope, and a foundation for the future.