Citizen Abu Ammar, from one of the villages south of Nablus, turned to the relevant authorities in the Palestinian National Authority to help him rehabilitate his home, which lacks the conditions for suitable human housing. In the end, his request was referred to the CSC due to the reputation and experience that the center has gained in this field.

Engineer Osama Bani Odeh, the program coordinator, explained that the center continued its efforts using its own capabilities, represented by the support of the local community from individuals and institutions and from the proceeds of the charity card donated by students of the community service course, after the end of the project funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. This project benefited 55 families and 5 schools in the Nablus Governorate. Engineer Bani Odeh added, “Since the establishment of the center, our program has been one of the most important programs that filled a gap felt by the authorities responsible for social affairs, as we work with our capabilities and with the support of the local community and funding from support institutions at times to achieve the citizen’s right to housing that meets basic human conditions.”

As Engineer Bani Odeh mentioned, the program’s interventions included the rehabilitation of sanitary units, the installation of windows and doors, in addition to plastering and tiling floors and treating leaks and dampness, which contributed to improving the living conditions of these families. Regarding the feelings of the beneficiaries, Engineer Bani Odeh shared the testimony of one beneficiary from the city of Nablus, the head of a family of six, who said, “My family and I felt as if we were on the street because of the dilapidated door and broken windows that did not provide privacy or protect us from the cold and rain. After what the center did, we thank them, as we feel that our lives have moved forward by many steps.”

For his part, Professor Bilal Salama, Director of the CSC, noted that the housing rehabilitation program is one of the center’s vital programs that contributes to empowering marginalized families and improving the health conditions of their homes, which is reflected in their social conditions. He also explained that requests for assistance to solve housing problems often lead to the discovery of other unmet needs that families had not previously applied for, believing that assistance was not possible. This prompts the center to take the initiative to support these families in multiple areas through its other programs.