Cano Martin Pena Relief Fund

"Puerto Rico is facing devastation after the worst hurricanes in a century hit the already hurting island. The situation is critical for the entire island, but even more so for its most vulnerable communities.

The 26,000 residents in the Caño Martín Peña communities live in a flooding-prone area in substandard housing. Many houses have been partly or completely destroyed during the hurricanes.

Mother Jones  has published a great article about the Cano Martin Pena, highlighting all the work they are doing to rebuild in the aftermath of the hurrican.  Aljazeera reported a story about the dangers that lie ahead as developers may seek to use the hurricane as an opportunity to displace the residents of the Cano Martin Pena.  And Rolling Stone magazine just published a story about the Cano Martin Pena, and the good work of Proyecto ENLACE.

Residents are now working with volunteers, architects and engineers, to rebuild the neighbourhood in a way that can reduce their vulnerability and ensure equitable development.

Money is needed to help rebuild. The Champlain Housing Trust is acting as our fiscal agent, and will make sure that 100% of funds raised for relief will go to the residents through the G-8, the group of community organisations led by residents of the Caño Martín Peña communities. Money will be spent on buying construction materials and replacing furniture and white goods for those who have lost everything.

The Caño residents won last year's United Nations / BSHF World Habitat Award for their Community Land Trust -- joining the Champlain Housing Trust as a past award recipient.

We want to thank everyone who has donated to this campaign!  We've just passed our second fundraising goal -- and have raised our target to $55,000.  We will continue to work hard to spread the word so we can reach (and hopefully) surpass it.