Habitat COO Patrick Canagasingham urges COP27 climate change conference delegates to prioritize adequate and affordable housing

ATLANTA (Nov. 7, 2022) – Habitat for Humanity International released a list of policy priorities and recommendations calling on delegates at the COP27 climate change conference to prioritize adequate and affordable housing, achieve a net-zero future for carbon emissions, and meet the mitigation and adaptation needs of human settlements as part of future actions in response to climate change.

Habitat for Humanity International Chief Operating Officer Patrick Canagasingham issued the following statement:

The global community needs to put people most affected by climate change at the center of our interventions. Housing and climate change are inextricably linked. Failing to establish integrated policies and systems risks the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

While we recognize the urgency to meaningfully address mitigation needs globally, we must not forget about the growing housing gap for millions of people around the world. According to the United Nations, 3 billion people will need access to adequate housing by 2030. We need to ensure that our mitigation efforts do not drive up costs for households, further worsening the global deficit of adequate and affordable housing.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand partner up with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.