The United Nations Habitat Assembly, at the end of its forum agreed to confront the global housing crisis and outlined a clear path to support Member States in expanding access to land and housing, improving basic services, and fostering inclusive prosperity and climate resilience in cities worldwide, CHINEDUM UWAEGBULAM reports.

Delegates closed the United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi with a renewed global commitment to sustainable urban development and a new direction to confront the global housing crisis.

At the heart of the Assembly’s outcomes was the adoption of a four-year UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, which places housing, land, and basic services at the centre of sustainable urban transformation. The plan aims to accelerate inclusive, climate-resilient, and equitable development in cities and communities – particularly in countries grappling with climate change, conflict, and inequality.

The plan was endorsed by Nigeria and 192 UN Member States including non-member States, other UN bodies and specialised agencies, as well as intergovernmental organisations, civil society, private sector, academia and research institutions, women, youth and children, and grassroots organizations. The Assembly convenes every four years as the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements.

The document places adequate housing, land, basic services, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums at the heart of global efforts to build inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities. The adoption – by a strong majority vote of 105 in favour – marks a milestone in the fight against the growing global housing crisis and sets the direction of the programme’s work from 2026-2029.

The strategic plan was endorsed during the resumed second session of the assembly, which brought together ministers, local authorities, civil society, and other key stakeholders. It outlines a clear path to support Member States in expanding access to land and housing, improving basic services, and fostering inclusive prosperity and climate resilience in cities worldwide.

By 2050, 68 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities – driving the need for at least 40 million new homes, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Housing deficits are especially acute in regions experiencing rapid urban growth. Asia, with over 842 million homes, still faces a shortfall of more than 100 million units.

Africa has over 190 million homes but a deficit of 70 million, reflecting deep under-provision, particularly in informal settlements where basic services are lacking. In sub-Saharan Africa, 53.6 per cent of urban residents live in slums – the highest rate globally – and the region could see an additional 360 million people living in these conditions by 2030 if action is not taken.

Through access to housing, land and basic services, UN-Habitat aims to impact three major global challenges: Equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction and environment and climate action, which reflect the urgent need for integrated urban solutions that link housing with livelihoods, climate resilience, and peacebuilding.

Delegates reaffirmed that adequate housing is not just a roof over one’s head but the foundation for safety, health, and opportunity. They called for rights-based housing policies, scalable financing mechanisms, and stronger partnerships with communities, the private sector and international development banks.

“An estimated 2.8 billion people worldwide are affected by different forms of housing inadequacy. The pandemic and inflation have opened the doors to the worst housing affordability crisis in more than a decade. The plight of 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums and more than 300 million homeless people, in particular, calls for urgent and effective collective action,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “This is why UN-Habitat’s strategic plan 2026–2029 prioritises housing, land, and basic services for all. Without access to adequate housing, dignity and development are out of reach for billions. We must act urgently, boldly, and together.”

The Assembly also held a high-level dialogue on adequate housing co-chaired by Kenya and France; the session showcased political commitment and featured ministers, city leaders, civil society, and housing experts who shared good practices and innovative policies.

At the dialogue, Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, called on global leaders to prioritise housing as a strategic tool for tackling poverty, creating jobs, and accelerating climate action.

Dangiwa presented Nigeria’s ambitious, people-focused housing reforms as a model of inclusive and sustainable urban development. Reaffirming Nigeria’s support for the 2026–2029 UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, he said, “Nigeria believes that adequate housing policies are among the most powerful tools for reducing poverty, creating jobs, strengthening climate resilience, and driving post-crisis recovery.”

He explained that the Bola Tinubu administration targets the delivery of 50,000 homes in its first phase, with 10,112 housing units already under construction across 14 states and the FCT. This has created over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, with the potential for much more.

To meet national housing needs and keep pace with population growth, he noted that Nigeria is required to build at least 550,000 homes annually—an effort that if executed sustainably could generate up to 13.7 million direct and indirect jobs each year thus turning a problem into an opportunity for job creation and poverty eradication. This potential for catalysing national growth, he said, firmly positions housing as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic renewal strategy.

Dangiwa also highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates initiative, which aims to build 100 homes in each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, totaling 77,400 homes. This is projected to create over 1.9 million jobs and stimulate rural economies.

On affordability, the minister emphasised that low-income households would not pay more than one-third of their income toward a social housing home, with the government absorbing the balance through targeted subsidies, tax incentives, and bulk procurement. In addition, 30 per cent of the homes will be allocated free of charge to the most vulnerable Nigerians.

He underscored the transformational impact of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, which has already delivered over 150 completed projects, with more than 100 ongoing. These interventions, the Minister noted, provide clean water, sanitation, access roads, solar street lighting, and improved public facilities to underserved communities.

Dangiwa said, “When aligned with social equity, economic inclusion, and climate goals, housing becomes more than shelter—it becomes a catalyst for national development and human dignity.”

He affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with UN-Habitat and other Member States to scale these solutions globally.