Transition from Shelter to Home

This paper focuses on the process of transition from temporary accommodation to permanent housing after disasters. The magnitude of some disasters results in a shortage of housing that cannot be covered by the regular building industry and durable accommodation cannot be achieved in the short-term. Sheltering during this period can be provided through different approaches, such as transitional shelter. When this approach is used, families remain in a condition of temporariness and uncertainty until they reach a permanent solution. Because the process of building durable accommodation can take years, transitional shelters are changed by families over time in order to meet their needs. Cases of transitional accommodation provided by the Government and TECHO NGO in Chile and Peru are analysed to illustrate how families modify their houses. Cases studied show similar characteristics in the way families expand and modify their shelters focusing on creating a ‘home’ even in a temporary situation.