UN-Habitat Honors Five Initiatives for Affordable Housing Solutions

On October 5, 2026, UN-Habitat presented its 2026 Scroll of Honour Award to five distinguished initiatives aimed at delivering affordable and resilient housing. The ceremony took place in Muscat, Oman, during the global observance of World Habitat Day, which focused on the theme of ‘Adequate Housing for All.’ This annual event emphasizes the critical role of housing in fostering inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban environments. The five winners were selected from an impressive pool of 101 nominations spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, showcasing a variety of approaches to addressing the global housing crisis. The award winners reflect innovative solutions to housing challenges faced by diverse communities.

Housing NOW from Bago, Myanmar, was recognized for its efforts to provide resilient homes for communities affected by conflict and poverty. Abdelmalek Ghannem from Bizerte, Tunisia, was acknowledged for pioneering construction techniques that utilize local mining waste for affordable building materials. Other winners include Aldeia do Espraiado – Tekoa Ara Hovy in Brazil, Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency in Pakistan, and Mayor Sadiq Khan from London, UK, all of whom have made significant contributions to advancing affordable housing and urban development. UN-Habitat’s Executive Director, Anacláudia Rossbach, highlighted the urgency of addressing the global housing crisis, noting that up to 3.4 billion people currently lack adequate housing.

The 2026 World Cities Report indicates a troubling rise in the number of individuals living in informal settlements and slums, which has increased by over 130 million since 2015. Rossbach emphasized the need for immediate action to scale up solutions like those presented by the award winners, who demonstrate that the challenge of providing adequate housing is surmountable through innovative approaches. Housing NOW, for instance, has developed a unique construction method that uses readily available bamboo to create low-cost homes. This approach not only addresses housing needs but also empowers local communities by employing local workers and providing training in construction techniques.

The organization’s efforts have been pivotal in rebuilding homes and community facilities following natural disasters, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of these methods. As the global housing crisis persists, the recognition of these diverse initiatives by UN-Habitat serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize housing solutions. The work of the award recipients exemplifies how creative and community-centered approaches can contribute to achieving the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Looking ahead, the challenge remains to scale these solutions and ensure that adequate housing becomes a reality for all.