From favelas to informal settlements, new UN report points to housing solutions that work

(UN News) From Thailand to Jordan, from Brazil to Germany, new approaches to housing are quietly taking shape. Residents of informal settlements once facing eviction are rebuilding their communities with State support. Refugees and host communities are reclaiming neglected spaces, turning them greener and safer. In Brazil, favelas are being upgraded rather than torn down, while in Germany, rent controls are helping to steady the market. A major new UN report says such efforts are more than isolated successes. With the right tools, it argues, easing the global housing crisis – impacting billions – may be within reach. Released by UN-Habitat and launched on Tuesday at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report also points to a broader role for the UN system in helping countries move beyond short-term fixes towards long-term housing solutions rooted in human rights, climate resilience and community participation. – From favelas to informal settlements, new UN report points to housing solutions that work | UN News