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Affordable Housing

We completed our first model home in 2023 with the help of the trades training program students.

The Power to Flourish Constructing safe houses in an earthquake zone is a core value in transforming this community. Communities for Life has extensively researched and planned to develop affordable housing. We engaged with the Ministry of Housing in Peru and CMHC to determine how to proceed with earthquake-resistant, lightweight, affordable housing to meet building code requirements. With the research work completed, Communities for Life completed the development of a model home in early 2023. 

Communities for Life Model Home

The C4L House Initiative is a sustainable housing project rooted in education, empowerment, and community transformation in Manchay, Peru. Launched in 2021 through the support of generous Canadian donors, the initiative trains young adults in four essential construction trades—electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and steel stud/drywall—equipping nearly 100 students so far with practical, employable skills. These programs not only provide a pathway out of poverty but also directly contribute to the construction of safe, affordable housing for families in need.

In May 2022, Communities for Life began building a 500 sq. ft. prototype home using prefabricated materials on C4L-controlled land. This model home became a living classroom where students applied their training in real-world conditions, gaining hands-on experience while eliminating labor costs. With a materials budget of just $4,000–$5,000 CAD and labor provided by student practicum work, the C4L House proves that quality, low-cost housing is possible in resource-limited environments. Every four months, a new student cohort contributes to the build of another home, continuing the cycle of skill-building and community impact.

On October 30, 2023, Communities for Life dedicated its first completed model home. The event marked a major milestone for the initiative, celebrating the work of local trades students and the impact of a collaborative vision. The C4L House is now a prototype for sustainable, affordable, and environmentally resilient homes—designed specifically for the Manchay climate and constructed by the community itself.

What began as a response to urgent housing needs—like rebuilding a woman’s home after a fire—has evolved into a symbol of resilience, innovation, and opportunity. Graduates of the trades program are now leading home construction projects throughout the region, with full-cost homes averaging under $10,000 USD.

We invite partners, donors, and visionaries to join us in expanding the C4L House Initiative. Together, we can build not only homes—but futures—where every community has the power to thrive.

We are still looking for partners to help us reach our goal of training local tradespeople in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and steel studs/drywall skills. We aim to build 10 homes for families living in abject poverty in Manchay.