High-Level Dialogue on “Adequate Housing for All”

Event lasts 1 hour 15 minutes

High-Level Dialogue on “Adequate Housing for All” is a crucial event convened by the President of ECOSOC, H.E. Robert Rae, and the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, at the United Nations Headquarters ECOSOC Chamber for insightful discussions and impactful conversations on securing housing for all to advance economic development, social justice, gender equality, health, and urban resilience. Let's come together to address this pressing issue and work towards sustainable solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the change!

Housing is central to human development and social welfare, shaping both lives and physical environments while significantly influencing socio-economic progress. It is key to advancing SDGs such as 1, 3, 5 , 8 , and 11. As both a basic human right and a driver of economic opportunity, health, education, and social justice, adequate housing and secure land tenure are vital for economic stability, reducing vulnerability, and promoting equity—especially in countries with developing or fragmented welfare systems. They also foster the inclusion of young people and support intergenerational equity.

Adequate housing helps mitigate climate change and strengthens disaster resilience, particularly important for marginalized groups and those in informal settlements. Energy-efficient, climate-resilient designs and the use of sustainable, affordable materials enhance thermal comfort while lowering energy use, emissions, and environmental degradation.

Adequate housing has a positive correlation with peace, security, and good governance. Insecure land tenure increases the risk of displacement and exploitation, while housing scarcity and inequality can heighten social tensions. Conflict is often marked by destruction of housing, mass evictions, and violations of housing, land, and property rights. In contrast, secure access to housing and land supports recovery, peacebuilding, and long-term stability. It also strengthens trust between communities and institutions, empowers citizen participation, and promotes good governance.

Despite longstanding policy focus, the housing crisis persists, marked by rising homelessness, expansion of informal settlements, and unaffordable housing. Many cities fail to plan urban expansion, with result in uncontrolled, fragmented, underserviced urbanisation that deepens inequalities. Even economically thriving cities have failed to improve housing and services for low-income families. Addressing the housing crisis is essential for reducing poverty, improving urban resilience, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive communities. Recognising this, the United Nations Secretary-General’s “Our Common Agenda” highlights universal access to adequate housing as a pillar of the Renewed Social Contract.

This event marks a key milestone in the lead-up to the Second World Summit on Social Development, underscoring housing as a foundation for renewing the social contract. It places adequate housing at the heart of global discussions on social development, governance, and peace, while contributing to the deliberations of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All.