Abstract: A composite material that is formed into basic structural panels that can be subsequently assembled into the floors, walls, roof trusses, and roofs of buildings by unskilled labor having access to basic tools is disclosed. Thus, basic shelter, low-cost houses and various other structures, such as schools, churches, clinics, and storage facilities may be constructed to address the need for such structures in economically-distressed countries with large populations. The building material for the panels is a molded polymer composite, made from either homogeneous or non-homogeneous materials. The materials consist primarily of recycled or virgin polyolefins, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene compounds with or without various additives, including glass fiber, metals and naturally-occurring materials such as rice husks, sugar cane bagasse, nut shells, talc, clay, sand and wood.