Homelessness can happen to anyone
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 to celebrate, identify and promote good habitat practices. Every year between January and March projects submit their application, this is followed by a rigorous evaluation process to shortlist projects that demonstrate exceptional work in providing or promoting access to adequate housing. Between eight and twelve projects are finalists each year, of which two projects become Gold winners and the remaining either Silver or Bronze winners.
For over 35 years, the Awards– run in partnership with UN-Habitat - have showcased pioneering approaches to housing challenges. In total, more than 360 finalists from 94 countries have been recognised, each one transforming the lives of individuals, families and communities through housing.
Facts about global homelessness
Exact figures globally are challenging as there is no standard definition for homelessness and it has many forms - from sleeping on the street through to lack of stable permanent housing.
- Estimates are that 2% of the world's population are homeless (150 million people).
- More than 20% of the world’s population may lack adequate housing (1.6 billion people).
Causes of homelessness
Reasons for people being homeless can vary across countries but typically are due to:
- Lack of affordable housing (rising property values)
- Limited housing / rental stress
- Poverty
- Loss of employment, under-employment or inability to gain a new job
- Lack of services for people suffering from mental illness
- Family breakdown & violence
use is proud to partner with the World Habitat Awards and hosts many of the award-winning projects on the platform - Link
Watch our use:positions interview with World Habitat CEO, David Ireland here.
For more information on the World Habitat Awards click here.