UN upholds housing as a human right on World Habitat Day

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

MUSCAT, Oman — Representatives from governments, civil society, and academia convened in Muscat on Monday to demand urgent global action against a housing crisis that currently affects nearly 3.4 billion people.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by Anacláudia Rossbach, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urbanization. Speaking to the assembly, Rossbach asserted that “Adequate housing is not a luxury. It is a foundation for a dignified life and for sustainable cities.” Her remarks emphasized the structural importance of housing in broader societal stability, moving the discourse beyond immediate shelter needs to long-term urban planning and social equity.

Rossbach further stressed that “housing needs to be treated as a public priority alongside land and basic services.” She highlighted the necessity for greater investment in communities and called for enhanced cooperation across three key sectors: government, the private sector, and civil society. This tripartite approach is intended to ensure that housing solutions are not only built but are also maintained, accessible, and integrated into the wider urban fabric.

The call for systemic cooperation reflects a recognition that no single entity can resolve the housing crisis in isolation.

In a message issued for the occasion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described adequate housing for all as “the foundation of dignity, security, and opportunity.” However, he drew attention to the stark reality that more than three billion people worldwide are currently denied this universal human right.

Guterres provided specific data points to illustrate the severity of the issue, noting that “Over one billion live in informal settlements and slums, and many more experience homelessness or have been displaced by conflict, disasters, and climate change.” These figures highlight the intersection of housing insecurity with broader global challenges, including geopolitical instability and environmental degradation.

The perspective of Malaysia was prominently featured through the voice of Nga Kor Ming, the President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly and Malaysia’s Minister of Housing and Local Government. In a video message to the participants, Mr. Ming reminded the audience that behind the statistical aggregates are real people facing daily hardships. He specifically highlighted the plight of families living in homes that lack legal protection, basic sanitation, and clean water.

Mr. Ming noted that in such conditions, children are particularly vulnerable, suffering from preventable diseases that exacerbate cycles of poverty and poor health outcomes.

Mr. Ming’s commentary offered a critical definition of what constitutes a home versus a mere structure. He stated, “A house without clean water, safety or legal security is not a home. It is a poverty trap.” This distinction is crucial for policymakers, as it shifts the focus from the physical construction of buildings to the provision of essential services and legal frameworks that secure tenure.

He argued that addressing these deficiencies requires a fundamental change in approach, stating, “Therefore, to deliver adequate housing for all, we must move away from quick fixes to systemic transformation.”

To provide a clear standard for what constitutes adequate housing, Ms. Rossbach outlined the criteria established under the UN human rights framework. She explained that housing is considered adequate only when it meets seven specific criteria, which include the availability of services, habitability, affordability, location, and accessibility. This framework serves as a benchmark for governments and developers to evaluate their housing projects and policies.

By defining adequacy in such comprehensive terms, the UN aims to prevent the provision of substandard housing that may technically provide shelter but fails to meet the basic needs of its inhabitants.

Rossbach elaborated on the practical implications of these criteria, warning that “Adequate housing means much more than a physical structure with four walls and a roof.” She provided a concrete example of how affordability and location can undermine the quality of life, even when a physical structure exists. “A family may have a roof and still spend so much on rent that there is little left for food, education, or healthcare,” she said.

She added, “A home may be affordable, but located far from jobs, schools, or transport.” These observations highlight the complex economic and logistical challenges involved in creating truly adequate housing, where cost, location, and access to services must be balanced.

The economic and social benefits of investing in adequate housing were a central theme of the Secretary-General’s address. Guterres upheld the view that “investing in adequate housing and transforming informal settlements reduces poverty, tackles inequality, builds climate resilience, and fosters peaceful and inclusive societies.” This statement positions housing investment not merely as a social welfare expenditure but as a strategic economic tool that yields dividends in stability, health, and environmental sustainability.

By linking housing to climate resilience, the UN underscores the importance of building standards that can withstand environmental shocks, a particularly relevant consideration for regions prone to natural disasters.

To achieve these goals, Guterres called for coordinated action by both national and local governments. He emphasized the need for building stronger partnerships and making better use of data in decision-making processes. Data-driven approaches are essential for identifying gaps in housing supply, understanding demographic trends, and allocating resources efficiently. Without accurate data, governments risk misallocating funds or failing to target the most vulnerable populations effectively.

The call for stronger partnerships suggests a move toward multi-stakeholder models where public and private entities collaborate on large-scale housing initiatives.

A significant portion of the Secretary-General’s message was dedicated to the financial mechanisms required to support these efforts. He stated, “The international financial architecture must also be reformed to mobilize the adequate, predictable, and affordable financing developing countries need to invest in housing at scale.” This call for reform addresses a critical bottleneck in global housing development, where many developing nations lack access to the capital needed to build and maintain adequate housing stock.

The emphasis on predictability and affordability suggests that current financial instruments may be too volatile or expensive for long-term housing projects, necessitating new models of international cooperation and lending.

The observance of World Habitat Day serves as the starting point for a broader campaign. The day is observed annually on the first Monday in October and marks the beginning of UN-Habitat’s Urban October. This month-long campaign is designed to advocate for housing and sustainable urban development, culminating in World Cities Day on 31 October.

The extended timeline allows for sustained attention on the issue, providing a platform for continuous dialogue, policy advocacy, and the sharing of best practices among cities and nations. The transition from a single day of commemoration to a month-long engagement reflects the complexity and scale of the housing challenge, which requires ongoing effort rather than a one-time response.

The gathering in Muscat thus represents a significant moment in the global effort to address the housing crisis. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and reaffirming the human rights basis of adequate housing, the event sets the stage for the actions to be taken in the coming months.

The insights provided by UN-Habitat, the UN Secretary-General, and Malaysia’s Minister of Housing and Local Government collectively paint a picture of a crisis that is both immediate and structural. The path forward, as outlined by these leaders, involves systemic transformation, financial reform, and a commitment to treating housing as a public good.

As the Urban October campaign unfolds, the focus will remain on translating these principles into tangible policies and projects that can improve the lives of the billions of people currently lacking adequate shelter.