Security in the neighborhood is deteriorating as global homelessness crisis intensifies, prompting calls for urgent action

Shelter is the gateway to all other rights, according to activist and renowned American representative Richard Gere, who joined United Nations efforts to combat homelessness. The global housing crisis has become one of the most urgent challenges of human rights, with nearly three billion people worldwide lacking adequate housing, according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Over a billion people live in informal settlements, while over 300 million people suffer from homelessness in various parts of the global South and North. In Africa, 62 percent of urban housing is informal. In the Asia-Pacific region, over 500 million people lack access to basic water services, and over a billion people live without adequate sanitation facilities.

In a pictorial message of support for an upcoming conference, Mr. Gere emphasized the urgent need for global action, stating, “Without a safe home, there is no health, no education, no stable work.” The phenomenon of homelessness extends far beyond the mere absence of shelter; it often leads to the deprivation of individuals of fundamental rights, including security, healthcare, privacy, and human dignity.

This issue will take center stage at the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum, the most prominent UN conference on sustainable urbanization. The conference will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” It will bring together governments, civil society organizations, urban planners, private sector leaders, and youth representatives.

The global challenge of housing insecurity highlights the need for compassionate and just policies that reflect the value of every human life. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the vulnerable. Addressing the root causes of homelessness requires a commitment to justice, mercy, and the dignity of all neighbors.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)