Extending Our Partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Europe

James Hardie Europe is excited to extend the partnership with Habitat for Humanity to Europe. This initiative follows the successful collaboration between James Hardie and Habitat for Humanity in the United States, where the two organizations have worked together to empower homeowners and build resilient homes.

Expanding Support to Europe: A Commitment to a Better Future
In 2023, James Hardie established a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the U.S. This collaboration is centered around supporting Habitat’s mission, including their impactful “Habitat Strong” program. This program is dedicated to building affordable, climate-resilient homes capable of withstanding severe weather conditions and natural disasters.
Christian Claus, President of James Hardie Europe, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for expanding our support to Europe. “Our commitment to building a better future for all drives us to extend our successful partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Europe by contributing our high-performance building products, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the housing challenges faced by communities across Europe,” said Claus.

Empowering Families through Product Donations
Our European partnership comes with product donations over the years to come, with a focus on affordable housing projects. James Hardie will provide our fiber cement and fiber gypsum boards for both internal and external applications. Starting with a first joint project this year, materials will be used in Romania during Hope Build events, where more than 10 duplex houses will be constructed, ensuring durable and resilient housing solutions. These building projects directly benefit disadvantaged families, providing them with secure and safe homes.

Enthusiasm for Future Impact
Rick Hathaway, Vice President of Habitat for Humanity International for Europe and the Middle East, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. “James Hardie has been a valued partner of Habitat for Humanity in the U.S., and we are thrilled to extend this collaboration to Europe. Their continued support and innovative building solutions will enable us to reach more families and provide them with safe, affordable housing, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, where a significant portion of the population faces housing challenges. Together, we can transform lives and strengthen communities by ensuring everyone has a decent place to call home,” said Hathaway.
  Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand partner up with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.