Housing, land and informal settlements

Adequate housing is fundamental to human dignity, equal opportunities, and sustainable urban development. It is a cornerstone of social inclusion, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability. Yet, ensuring access to adequate housing for all remains one of the most pressing and persistent challenges facing cities and human settlements worldwide.

Today, an estimated 2.8 billion people worldwide live without access to adequate housing, including nearly 300 million people experiencing homelessness and 1.12 billion living in slums or informal settlements. In these contexts, secure tenure, basic services, and adequate infrastructure remain limited. Without coordinated, integrated and people-centred responses, housing needs are expected to intensify further, driven by rapid population growth and urbanization, forced displacement, climate-related risks, and increasing economic pressures.

Addressing housing deficits and upgrading informal settlements can significantly improve living conditions, strengthen social inclusion, and expand access to equal opportunities for millions of people. Inclusive, data-informed, and people-centred approaches can guide such transformations, helping to strengthen urban resilience, reduce inequalities, and support sustainable urban development.

The United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC) supports cities and communities in using data, spatial analysis, and innovative digital tools to better understand urban dynamics, plan inclusive upgrading, and co-design urban solutions that leave no one behind.

Access the PDF about UNITAC's work on housing.