In the poorest rural communities in South India, many families live in makeshift huts with bare mud floors. At risk of fire, prone to vermin and easily damaged by monsoon rains, these crude homes put the lives, health and wellbeing of children and adults at risk – and when they need replacing, push many families into spiralling debt with local money-lenders.

“During the rainy season, our hut was damaged. I could not afford to repair it or build a new house with my low income so I approached Reaching the Unreached to help us. I now live happily with my daughter and son in a new house. We have good basic facilities and I can take care of my daughter, who has learning difficulties.” Muthulakshmi, living in Aayampalayam

Reaching the Unreached’s house-building scheme provides the families most in need with the safe, secure homes they deserve as a basic right. Our own cement production unit produces much of the basic material for the homes, which are constructed by skilled builders, aided in some of the labouring tasks by the families themselves.

The houses

RTU houses are strong, durable, weather-proof and well designed, with the features rural dwellers want and need: a shady veranda, a living room and cooking area, and a toilet/washing area. All the doors, door frames, the window and the roof are built of materials designed to keep out insects.

Since 1976, we have built more than 9,000 houses in rural villages (including more than 60 entire villages), sometimes with the help of volunteers from overseas. We also provide basic household items, as well as clothes and school notebooks for the children.

A solid, functional home can transform the life of a family living in rural poverty in South India.

Help us build more homes for those who need them.

Find out more about our housing programme