Jonathan T.M. Reckford is chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, a global nonprofit housing organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.

At the 2016 United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), Habitat for Humanity welcomed the adoption of the New Urban Agenda. As part of this framework, we committed to reduce poverty and foster more sustainable cities by increasing access to decent shelter for over 200 million people by 2036.

Families partner with Habitat for Humanity across the Middle East to build or improve a place they can call home. In Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, we address urgent housing needs, support displaced populations and foster sustainable, resilient communities.

Habitat for Humanity will participate in the 12th session of the World Urban Forum convened by UN-Habitat in Cairo from Nov. 4-8, 2024. In line with the forum’s theme, “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” Habitat will showcase five models of urban intervention that have transformed communities worldwide.

At the World Urban Forum, Habitat is showcasing five innovative models that address key global housing challenges. The models demonstrate how housing solutions can be a powerful tool for transforming cities, tackling climate change, addressing urban crises and promoting inclusion of marginalized groups.

Support Habitat organizations in communities hit hard by recent hurricanes as we begin the long-term recovery work ahead.

Check out this year’s house photos, featuring homeowners and volunteers from the 2024 Carter Work Project in St. Paul, Minnesota.