Zambia is one of the poorest nations in the world ranking 165 out of 177. Eighty percent of the population lives on less than a $1 a day. Urban migration rates are high with the vast majority living in slums. Most housing units in these areas are often poorly constructed with mud walls and floors and in certain instances makeshift tents. Overcrowding exists in the majority of these houses and a lack of natural light and ventilation are common problems .The wet weather damages the houses very quickly. There is no proper drainage system. Even in the dry season, stagnant water combined with sewage can pollute an entire area causing a stench in the neighbourhood and making it difficult to move around.

The family is generally the optimal environment for a child to develop and HFHZ aims to enable vulnerable children to remain in a loving family situation in which they can maintain stability, care, predictability, and protection. Supporting family capacity, whether the head of household is an ill or widowed parent, an elderly grandparent, or a young person, helps build a protective environment for vulnerable children.

Habitat for Humanity Zambia (HFHZ) believes one of the most meaningful relationships of life is the connection between giving and receiving. As part of a world-wide non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry focused on eliminating poverty by providing simple, decent houses with families in need , Habitat for Humanity Zambia believes meeting the basic needs of children and youth is not only vital for ensuring their current well-being, but is also critical to their future. Basic or "core" needs include food/nutrition, shelter and care, protection, health care, psychosocial support, and education. Illness in the family or the loss of a parent or parents is extremely disruptive to children, and places them at a distinct disadvantage in obtaining the support necessary for their welfare and even at risk to life. Financial and material resources are often required to meet most of these needs and are also often essential.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic strikes at the heart of family and community support structures. Habitat for Humanity Zambia envisions a widespread approach that builds on community and family support structures, and engages communities in taking action to care for and track the welfare of affected children. The HIV/AIDS epidemic overloads impoverished communities to the point where many children are left without suitable shelter or care. Those children who find themselves without a caregiver become highly vulnerable to abuse and stunted development. Given the number of OVCs, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and their complex needs, the most effective responses place families, households and communities at the centre of interventions. One of the most prevalent forms of gender violence that creates poverty in women is when the male's family claims the property of the deceased from the widow and the children. Property grabbing may lead to loss of shelter.
Habitat for Humanity Zambia is one of the NGOs that are responding to the needs of the orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia. Currently HFHZ has a Vulnerable Group Housing (VGH) program. This program is aimed at providing appropriate, housing solutions to vulnerable groups in Zambia and it specifically concentrates on orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). The vulnerability of the OVC can be as a result of a variety of causes such as disease, the loss of the breadwinner, loss of power and protection, disability, or social exclusion. Vulnerable groups typically include widows, orphans, children without basic care, the disabled, those living with HIV/AIDS, and many others. Being among one of these groups combined with poverty, creates condition of multiple vulnerabilities, wherein people are more likely to be residing in tenuous indecent housing, and where they cannot reasonably be expected to repay a housing loan. This program focuses on the provision of free housing to families caring for OVCs.

HFH Zambia began its orphan and vulnerable children housing program in 2005 in order to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is leaving an overwhelming number of orphans in its wake. It is further estimated that by 2015, approximately 1.2 million Zambian children will have lost either their mother or father or both parents due to HIV/AIDS.
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