UN group calls for accelerated global action on housing — Property — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The first session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All has called for accelerated global efforts to ensure safe, sustainable, and affordable housing.

Convened under the mandate of Resolution 2/7 on adequate housing for all adopted during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2023, the session brought together over 200 participants, including ministers, ambassadors, and housing experts, to discuss practical solutions to the global housing crisis.

Housing challenges vary across regions due to diverse traditions, political landscapes, and economic realities. However, the root causes often share striking similarities, making multilateral cooperation essential. The Working Group reflects the growing recognition that housing is not merely a commodity but a pillar of social justice and collective well-being.

Throughout the session, participants stressed that adequate housing must be part of a broader strategy that includes urban planning, infrastructure, social services, and economic opportunities. They noted that addressing informal settlements and tenure insecurity requires a collective, comprehensive response that goes beyond housing alone.

“It is impossible to transform informal settlements without addressing the challenges of adequate housing together,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, Edna Elena Vega Rangel, also highlighted the importance of collaboration. “It is encouraging to see so many experts from around the world who have joined this discussion on adequate housing,” she said. Her remarks reinforced the session’s focus on global partnerships, with participants highlighting the need for international cooperation and the sharing of best practices to solve the housing crisis.

The session recommendations for accelerating progress on adequate housing include integrated housing policies where participants emphasized the need to align housing strategies with broader urban development goals. They agreed that policies should address not only housing but also urban planning, informal settlements, tenure insecurity, and social equity, ensuring that housing is part of a comprehensive approach to urbanisation, infrastructure, and climate resilience.

On innovative financing, the session focused on scaling up innovative financing models, such as rent-to-own schemes and public-private partnerships. Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme was cited as an example, demonstrating how governments can incentivize low-cost, equitable housing while ensuring sustainability and long-term affordability.

As regards data-driven solutions, experts stressed the importance of robust data systems to guide decision-making, identify housing gaps, and monitor progress
Lastly, on partnerships for action, the session underscored the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector. Participants highlighted the role of South-South cooperation and knowledge-sharing, which are key to scaling up successful housing solutions globally and ensuring that they are inclusive and sustainable.

The group will build on the outcomes of the session to develop recommendations for the next United Nations Habitat Assembly. These recommendations will aim to accelerate progress toward achieving adequate housing for all by 2030.

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