The global need for affordable housing and sustainable cities

1 / 3

New York City, New York- More people now live in cities than in the country, which means the need for quality affordable housing in urban centers is increasing.

Sao Paolo, Brazil- According to UN-Habitat, more than 860 million people now live in urban slums in cities.

Bridgeport, Connecticut- By 2020, that number is expected to exceed 1 billion, as people move into cities seeking work.

Sofia, Bulgaria- This is one of many reasons Habitat is hard at work in urban cores.

San Pedro Sula, Honduras- It’s also why we are a leading voice advocating for policies that will develop and increase access to affordable housing.

Seattle, Washington- In growing areas around the world, Habitat works to increase decent affordable housing both with new construction near existing infrastructure and by renovating existing homes.

Tripoli, Lebanon- By working with local communities, partners and families around the world, Habitat helps make cities stronger.

Buenos Aires, Argentina- Why? Because we believe in a world where everyone in every city has a decent place to live — in urban areas and beyond.

New York City, New York- More people now live in cities than in the country, which means the need for quality affordable housing in urban centers is increasing.

Sao Paolo, Brazil- According to UN-Habitat, more than 860 million people now live in urban slums in cities.

Bridgeport, Connecticut- By 2020, that number is expected to exceed 1 billion, as people move into cities seeking work.

Sofia, Bulgaria- This is one of many reasons Habitat is hard at work in urban cores.

San Pedro Sula, Honduras- It’s also why we are a leading voice advocating for policies that will develop and increase access to affordable housing.

Seattle, Washington- In growing areas around the world, Habitat works to increase decent affordable housing both with new construction near existing infrastructure and by renovating existing homes.

Tripoli, Lebanon- By working with local communities, partners and families around the world, Habitat helps make cities stronger.

Buenos Aires, Argentina- Why? Because we believe in a world where everyone in every city has a decent place to live — in urban areas and beyond.

Across the globe, urban populations have increased rapidly, often outstripping available housing. A century ago two of every 10 people lived in urban areas; now, for the first time in human history, more than half of us do. India alone has 35 urban areas with more than a million people, and at least a dozen cities worldwide are home to more than 10 million.

Cities can be places of both great opportunity and great inequality. Close to 1 billion dwell in urban slums, and everywhere children are disproportionately at risk. In the U.S., for example, the fastest-growing urban centers account for three-fourths of the recent growth among children and youth.

Habitat responds to the needs of our urbanizing world, helping to create strong, sustainable cities with decent and affordable housing for everyone. View the slideshow to learn about this important part of our mission and how you can get involved with Habitat.

Share this page on your: