JONICA HOMES
Jonica Homes is Jonica Foundation’s shelter programme supporting vulnerable families living in
unsafe, severely inadequate or disaster-damaged homes.
The programme focuses on practical housing interventions—from repairing an unsafe roof to
helping an extremely vulnerable household access a simple, secure and dignified home.
The Problem
Housing is more than having a roof.
Unsafe housing exposes families to rain, cold, disease, violence and insecurity.
A recent World Bank project document states that Kenya’s housing deficit exceeds 2 million
units, while new formal supply remains far below demand.
For extremely vulnerable households, even affordable-housing programmes may remain beyond
reach.
Some families are living with:
• Leaking roofs.
• Mud floors.
• Unsafe walls.
• Missing doors or windows.
• No sanitation.
• Overcrowding.
• Homes destroyed by floods or fires.
• Structures unsafe for children, older people or persons with disabilities.
Poor housing also affects education, health and livelihoods.
Target Group
Jonica Homes will prioritise:
• Extremely vulnerable households.
• Women-headed households.
• Older women living alone.
• Families affected by disasters.
• Persons with disabilities.
• Families caring for vulnerable children.
• Households living in structurally unsafe homes.
Support will be based on transparent vulnerability assessment.
Short Term Goal
To improve the safety and dignity of 20 vulnerable households through home rehabilitation, emergency repairs or basic housing support.
Long Term Goal
To support at least 250 vulnerable households to access safer, healthier and more dignified living conditions.
General Objective
To improve access to safe and dignified shelter for vulnerable families and individuals.
Specific Objectives
During the first 12 months, Jonica Homes will:
1. Conduct detailed vulnerability and housing assessments for at least 40 households.
2. Rehabilitate at least 15 unsafe homes.
3. Mobilise resources towards construction or major reconstruction of up to 5 homes for
households experiencing extreme vulnerability.
4. Provide household starter support to at least 20 families.
5. Secure at least 5 construction, professional or material partners.
Core Activities
- Conduct household assessments using a standard vulnerability and shelter-assessment
tool. - Select 15 priority homes requiring manageable repairs such as roofing, flooring, doors,
windows and basic structural improvements. - Mobilise funding, construction materials and volunteer/professional support to
rehabilitate the selected homes. - Identify up to 5 extremely vulnerable households requiring complete or substantial
housing intervention and mobilise dedicated sponsors for them. - Provide selected families with basic household items such as mattresses, bedding,
cooking items, water containers and solar lighting where required. - Partner with qualified builders, engineers, quantity surveyors, suppliers and
community volunteers to ensure safe implementation.
Impact
- 40 vulnerable households assessed using clear shelter and vulnerability criteria to
identify families with the most urgent housing needs. - 20 vulnerable households supported with practical shelter assistance based on their level of need.
- 15 unsafe homes rehabilitated through essential repairs such as roofing, flooring, doors, windows and basic structural improvements.
- Up to 5 severely vulnerable households supported with major reconstruction or new
homes, depending on funding, technical assessment and site suitability. - 100 people living in safer, more dignified conditions as a direct result of improved
shelter. - 5+ construction and technical partners engaged including builders, engineers,
suppliers and other professionals supporting safe and cost-effective delivery.
Our Foundation for This Work
Jonica Foundation’s programmes already address women’s health, economic vulnerability,
community empowerment and protection. Jonica Homes recognises that these issues are interconnected.
A woman cannot easily rebuild a business if her home has been destroyed.
A child cannot study comfortably in a leaking house. A family cannot fully protect its health without safe shelter, water and sanitation.
Jonica Homes therefore connects with MajiHai, Jibu Rapid Response, Imarika and other Jonica programmes depending on the household’s needs.
Support Us
You Don’t Have to Build 100 Homes. You Can Change One Family’s Life.
Support a roof. Sponsor repairs. Donate building materials. Partner to build a home.