ABOUT CASA DRAGA CASA
Casa Draga Casa is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry, seeking to eliminate poverty housing in the Beius community, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Casa Draga Casa invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to build homes with families in need
HISTORY
Founded in 1996, the association initially had the name Habitat pentru Umanitate Beius, being an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity between October 1996 and December 2012 and then continuing the collaboration without a new affiliate contract. Since 2016, Habitat for Humanity Beius renounced its affiliation status with Habitat for Humanity Romania and Habitat for Humanity International and since 2019 Beius has continued its activity under the new name, Casa Draga Casa, with a new brand identity. The same team continues at Casa Draga Casa with our own projects, remaining loyal to the mission of building homes and to develop new types of programs dedicated to low-income families. Also in 2019 the General Assembly of the Association Casa Draga Casa decided to expand the scope of activity in order to help a wide range of beneficiaries. Up until now our association has helped thousands of families throughout Bihor county to live in a simple, decent and accessible home. Read more…
HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Casa Draga Casa renovates and builds homes in collaboration with partner families and international and local volunteer labor. Homes are then sold to partner families at no profit, and are financed with affordable, no-interest loans.
Casa Draga Casa is a hand UP, not a hand out. Partner families (families that are selected to collaborate with Casa Draga Casa to build a home) pay back the home mortgage over 20 years at no interest, and invest up to 1000 hours of sweat equity labor on other homes.
The money to construct homes in Beius comes from:
- Individual donations;
- Foundations, churches or companies in Romania and abroad;
- Local donations of cash and construction material;
- The Revolving Fund: monthly mortgage payments from current Casa Draga Casa homeowners.
WHAT DOES A CASA DRAGA CASA HOUSE COST?
While the design for Casa Draga Casa homes has varied over the years, the latest models average around 15,000 EUR. In light of 35,000 EUR, the average cost of a new home in Beius, Casa Draga Casa homes offer an alternative.
HOW ARE PARTNER FAMILIES SELECTED?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to Casa Draga Casa. The family selection committee then chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Casa Draga Casa follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection: neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families whom receive homes.
WHO DIRECTS CASA DRAGA CASA?
An ecumenical local volunteer board determines policy, oversees, and guides the mission of Casa Draga Casa. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in the Beius community.
How can I help? Get Involved
