Leprosy affected families can bear the brunt of ostracism within their village and find themselves without a home or shelter.  It is a well-known fact that leprosy and poverty are inextricably linked: immune systems are low allowing disease to strike, including leprosy.

Therefore, low cost housing loans provide a roof over the heads of families which would otherwise be all but destitute.  In some parts of the world TLM works in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, and together they mobilize the surrounding community and local service organisations to contribute 25% of the land cost and registration fees.

Such projects also become a major advocacy and awareness exercise where facts about leprosy are made known to the community so those affected by the disease are not continually marginalized and socially excluded.  Often old attitudes of fear regarding leprosy can be changed and these families are usually accepted back into their community.