Habitat for Humanity International and UN-Habitat have renewed their partnership to address need for affordable housing around the world.
As the world strives to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, calls to make safe and affordable housing a priority in local and national social and economic recovery efforts are growing. Understanding the critical role home plays in the lives of families around the world, Habitat for Humanity International and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme recently renewed their long-standing partnership to collaborate and promote the global need for affordable housing.
Over the next five years, the two organizations will work together to support the development and implementation of sustainable and affordable housing programs globally. This will include sharing innovative practices and knowledge through training and education, joint advocacy and communication efforts, and raising awareness and support of policies as they relate to issue areas such as COVID-19’s impact on informal settlements and economies, global climate change adaptation, health and housing, and sustainable development. The organizations will also provide enhanced support to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
“Since its foundation, UN-Habitat has worked to promote the realization of the right to adequate housing for all as one of the transformative forces that can lead the world to overcome challenges related to climate change, poverty, exclusion and inequality. Housing is not only a human right on its own, but also a precondition for the enjoyment of many other fundamental rights, human dignity and overall well-being. The COVID-19 crisis has reminded us of this in the most acute manner,” said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of UN-Habitat. “In signing this ‘Memorandum of Action,’ UN-Habitat and Habitat for Humanity jointly recognize and are aligned in addressing adequate housing as a critical priority, especially in light of COVID-19 recovery efforts.”
Habitat for Humanity and UN-Habitat have worked closely together since 1976, when both organizations were founded. Throughout their relationship, the two organizations have co-sponsored and coordinated several global and regional housing forums to share knowledge of housing innovation strategies. The organizations entered into a formal partnership in 2014 to address global poverty and promote sustainable cities and human settlements through social, economic, cultural and environmental efforts.
