The 3rd Latin American and Caribbean Housing and Habitat Forum: Housing at the Center of the New Urban Agenda is a space to accelerate learning processes in order to solve the region’s housing and habitat challenges. In that sense, spaces like Shelter Tech: Mexico 2017 provide an opportunity to foster this learning. The project consists of an accelerator that focuses on small and medium-sized companies tackling the challenges of housing and sustainable habitats. 

With the help of the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter of Habitat for Humanity, nine Mexican companies participated in a process to continue driving the access of at-risk populations to basic services and safe homes. Part of the project included the presentation of innovative solutions in water and sanitation, energy, and construction materials. 

Using a peer selection methodology–where each company voted for a project that they believed fulfilled the requirements–the two projects with the highest potential were selected and granted an investment of $50,000 to continue developing their initiatives. 

Energryn is one of these two companies. It develops, licenses and manufactures sustainable technologies to improve quality of life. Its hybrid heater (solar-electric) reduces LP Gas consumption and the carbon footprint. 

The other selected project is Vitaluz, which developed a mechanism to capture solar energy, transform it into electricity, and store it. Families can purchase this energy each month, thereby avoiding the use of other highly polluting energy sources. 

The 3rd Latin American and Caribbean Housing and Habitat Forum also recognizes and rewards regional advances. The Inspiring Practices contest will help us get to know more ideas on how to foster ventures related to housing and habitat. 

Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of action and results-oriented innovators and visionaries. At the UHPH we want to foster the creation of spaces where they can exchange their knowledge and help us grow as a region.