The global housing crisis has deepened after decades of underinvestment, rapid urban growth, economic instability, and displacement caused by wars and climate disasters. According to recent estimates, up to 3.4 billion people worldwide lack safe and adequate housing, while more than 1 billion people live in informal settlements and slums with overcrowding, insecure living conditions, and limited access to basic services.
Global housing shortages increased from 251 million units in 2010 to 288 million in 2023, as forced displacement continued to rise due to conflict, violence, and climate-related emergencies. Research by UN-Habitat estimates that around 64 million people were evicted globally between 2003 and 2023, creating serious social and economic consequences for affected communities.
The World Cities Report 2026 describes adequate housing as a key foundation of sustainable urban development and human well-being. The report calls for affordable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient housing solutions, while urging governments to support community-led urban development and recognize housing as a fundamental human right essential for building greener and more inclusive cities
.Read more news here