Statement from Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford welcoming U.N. plan to eradicate extreme poverty, in part by focusing on the secure right to land

ATLANTA (May 31, 2013) – Habitat for Humanity International on Thursday welcomed the release of a report by the U.N. Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda that set 2030 as the target date to end extreme poverty, in part by focusing on secure land rights, a key to improving global housing conditions.

“Habitat for Humanity applauds the work of the High-level Panel, under the leadership of the Secretary-General, in championing a new Post-2015 Development Agenda,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “This report moves us all closer to a goal of eradicating extreme poverty, and I am especially pleased to see a focus on secure land and property rights. Housing is important because it improves individual outcomes and affects broader communities and the global economy. For policymakers to develop effective and innovative solutions for reducing poverty – including those focused on security of tenure, land and property rights – the far-reaching impact of adequate housing must be fully understood.”

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.