Explore stories of families whose lives have changed, innovative bamboo construction technologies, and solutions that are making housing safer and more sustainable in Nepal.
Safe Homes & Empowered Communities
Solutions for Nepal in a global housing crisis
The global housing crisis:
A problem we can’t ignore
The world is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. By 2030, an estimated 3 billion people will be living in inadequate housing, nearly doubling the current 1.6 billion who already lack safe and secure shelter. This crisis is not merely a matter of quantity but of affordability, quality, and resilience.
In urban centers, skyrocketing land prices and lack of regulation have fueled the growth of informal settlements. In rural regions, marginalized communities struggle to access financing, materials, and skilled labor.
When housing fails, families pay the price
Safety, health, and a way out of poverty
When families lack safe housing, the impacts ripple through generations:
Children miss school during heavy rains that flood their homes. Parents lose workdays to repair damaged structures. Entire families face constant health risks from inadequate sanitation and ventilation. Each passing storm brings the fear of losing everything.
Yet within this challenge lies an opportunity for transformation.
The root causes:
A systemic failure
The crisis stems from multiple interlinked factors:
Unplanned Urbanization – Cities expand faster than infrastructure and housing supply can keep up.
Lack of Affordable Financing – Traditional banking systems exclude low-income families from home loans.
Weak Government Policies – Many nations lack strong regulations or incentives to promote sustainable housing development.
Environmental Vulnerabilities – Climate change intensifies disasters, disproportionately affecting those in substandard housing.
Without intervention, millions will remain trapped in poverty, exposed to unsafe living conditions, and cut off from economic opportunities.
But solutions exist, and they are already transforming lives.
Innovation in Affordable Housing
Our mission in Nepal
At the Hilti Foundation, we believe in sustainable solutions that create lasting impact. That’s why we’ve introduced Cement Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) in Nepal—a game-changing construction method that turns bamboo into a safe, durable, and disaster-resilient building material.
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Bamboo has long been used in Nepal, but traditional techniques resulted in weak and temporary structures. Through innovative treatment processes and CBFT, we are making bamboo a reliable, high-quality construction material.
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In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Nepal, we are constructing disaster-resilient homes in rural and underserved communities, giving families a secure place to live.
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By fostering a local bamboo industry, we are providing new opportunities for farmers, treatment facilities, and construction workers, ensuring a sustainable value chain that benefits entire communities.
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Working alongside Nepal’s Ministry of Urban Development, we helped develop the country’s first national bamboo construction guidelines, paving the way for wider adoption of bamboo-based housing in both the public and private sectors.
Long-term stability
Real impact, real people
For families like Reshmi Kanal’s in the Sampanna Community, having a CBFT home has meant more than just shelter—it’s meant stability, security, and a brighter future. “This home has changed everything. I no longer have to spend money on yearly repairs. Instead, I can invest in my children’s education.”
To drive long-term change, housing solutions must integrate urban planning, legal reforms, and employment opportunities.
Advancing bamboo construction through research & practice
BASE Bahay Foundation
From research labs to real homes, BASE Bahay Foundation is turning bamboo into a powerful tool for sustainable housing. See how over a decade of innovation is making a lasting impact.
RESEARCH BLOCK
Beyond Housing:
A holistic approach to development
A home is not just a structure—it is the foundation for health, education, and economic opportunity. Effective housing initiatives consider:
Health – Adequate housing reduces exposure to respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, mental health stressors, and the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
Education – Stable homes enable better school attendance and learning outcomes for children.
Economic Mobility – Secure homeownership provides financial security and job opportunities, breaking intergenerational poverty cycles.
To drive long-term change, housing solutions must integrate urban planning, legal reforms, and employment opportunities.
Our housing activities
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A better future for Manila's garbage collectors
“I used to be afraid in my previous house. In our new home, we will be safe for at least 25 years. There’s nothing to worry about anymore.”
Reshmi Kamath - Charpari Terai, Nepal
Bamboo
The Base Bahay Foundation is a leading global competence center for bamboo construction innovating building solutions and pursuing fundamental research of bamboo as a building material. Building on this know-how, the Base Bahay Foundation develops entire industries aiming to deliver green and disaster-resilient housing focusing on the needs of disadvantaged families - currently in the Philippines and Nepal. This includes enterprise development, financing schemes as well as collaboration with governments on professional codes and standards for bamboo construction. Using its know-how, BASE also supports bamboo entrepreneurs and regulators worldwide in driving bamboo construction as a green alternative to conventional building acitivites.
Housing Systems
To create lasting change in the housing sector, we must address all key aspects of the housing challenge. Through our Housing Systems program, we work to develop targeted products and services, establish supply chains into informal neighborhoods, ensure quality of construction practices, facilitate access to housing finance and land, and advocate for targeted policies and regulations. By connecting these elements, we aim to positively impact housing ecosystems in the Global South and ultimately improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities.
Training the Builders
Ensuring safer housing requires more than just advanced technology; proper implementation is key. In partnership with public authorities and private firms, we raise awareness among self-managed and informal builders about better construction practices using innovative, high-quality building materials. We also integrate certified training programs into their portfolios, ensuring builders are equipped with the skills needed for safer and more effective construction in low-cost environments.
“I used to be afraid in my previous house. In our new home, we will be safe for at least 25 years. There’s nothing to worry about anymore.”
Reshmi Kamath - Charpari Terai, Nepal
