The United Nations has recently designated that the first Monday in October is observed as World Habitat Day.

This year, it falls on the 5th of the month, and we welcome you to join Habitat for Humanity to observe a day where we come together and support an initiative towards affordable housing.

Over 100 million people worldwide are homeless, according to the United Nations. Millions more have housing issues; ones that lack sanitation, electricity, and security.

In order to solve our international housing crisis, more than two million homes per year, for the next fifty years, would be needed to be built. But with growing populations, this number will only increase.

Raising awareness to this current crisis is what is needed, and that is why World Habitat Day has been developed: a reminder that a decent home for everyone should be a priority.

With other issues such as climate change, a decrease in resources, lack of food security and economic woes further affect the developing countries where housing is needed most.

Population growth is also an issue, with overcrowding abundant in these areas. Supply, then, also has trouble meeting its demands.

This year’s theme is “Planning our Urban Future”, an an excellent opportunity to get involved. From policy forums to presentations, along with luncheons, house-building and exhibitions, groups and individuals worldwide can come together to make a difference.

Read more from World Habitat Day News.

The facts

Source: World Habitat Day News:

• Approximately 95 million people  have housing problems including a high-cost burden, overcrowding, poor quality shelter and homelessness. (National Low Income Housing Coalition: 2004)
• One in three US households spend over 30 percent of income on housing; one in seven spends more than 50 percent. (Joint Center for Housing Studies: 2006)
• Health issues result from lack of stable housing: About 21,000 children have stunted growth; 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 9 are hospitalized for asthma attacks each year because of cockroach infestation at home; and more than 180 children die each year in house fires attributable to faulty electrical heating and electrical equipment. (Sandel, et al: 1999)
• By the year 2030, about 40 percent of the world’s population, will need access to housing – approximately 4,000 every hour. (UN-HABITAT: 2005)
• One out of every three city dwellers  lives in a slum. (UN-HABITAT: 2006)
• Women are more likely to contract HIV and children are more likely to die due to poor living conditions (UN-HABITAT: 2006)
• Housing generates a growth in economy and housing investments expand tax base. (Kissick, et al: 2006)

Image courtesy of blog.memory-of.com

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