WUF13 confronts the global housing crisis through dialogue, research and action
The day’s discussions were grounded in the findings of the “World Cities Report 2026: Global Housing Crisis – Pathways to Action”, launched by UN-Habitat during the Forum. The report warns that nearly 3 billion people worldwide are affected by inadequate housing conditions, unaffordable costs or lack of access to basic services, while more than 1.1 billion people continue to live in slums and informal settlements.
According to the report, rapid urbanization, climate impacts, rising land values and growing inequality are intensifying pressure on housing systems globally. Housing prices continue to rise faster than incomes in many regions, while climate-related disasters, displacement and informality are further exacerbating vulnerabilities. At the same time, the report emphasizes that the crisis can be addressed through stronger public investment, inclusive housing policies, community participation and better alignment between the social and economic functions of housing.
“Housing problems in cities will increase even more by 2050,” said UN-Habitat Head of Global Reports and Trends Unit Ben Arimah. “Only 25 percent of the world’s population can use mortgages to secure housing. This shows that the financial capacity of the majority of people is insufficient.”
The Forum’s high-level dialogues further explored both the structural causes of the crisis and the broader role housing plays in shaping cities and societies. The dialogue “The Global Housing Crisis: What’s the Plan?” examined how governments, financial institutions, communities and the private sector can work together to address affordability pressures, exclusion and the growth of informal settlements. Speakers emphasized the need for integrated approaches connecting land, finance, planning and social inclusion to expand access to adequate housing at scale.
“For the first time we’ve got housing as a priority issue, let’s take the bull by the horns and challenge it,” said Matthew Robert Baldwin, Deputy Director-General leading the European Union Task Force on Housing.
The second dialogue of the day, “The Social and Economic Power of Housing,” focused on housing as more than shelter — highlighting its role in economic opportunity, health, productivity, social cohesion and urban resilience. Discussions explored how investments in housing can help reduce inequalities while supporting broader sustainable development objectives.
“Accessibility cannot be an afterthough,” said World Blind Union President Santosh Kumar Rungta. “If housing is designed inclusively from the beginning, it benefits not only persons with disabilities but also older persons, women, children and other marginalized communities.”
Beyond policy discussions, the day also highlighted the importance of strengthening capacities and knowledge-sharing to support implementation. WUF13 officially launched the WUF Academy, a new learning and training track designed to connect research, education and urban practice around housing and sustainable urban development.
“This campus has one purpose: to put a spotlight on people, institutions and partnerships,” said UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach during the academy’s inauguration.
A key moment was the presentation of the Housing Primer, a free digital microlearning course jointly developed by UN-Habitat and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). Designed as a short and interactive learning experience, the course introduces participants to the fundamentals of adequate housing, explores the broader systems shaping housing policies and implementation, and highlights practical pathways for action centred on people’s needs and well-being.
Throughout the day, additional sessions across the Urban Expo, the UN-Habitat Arena and the Practices Hub continued to showcase practical experiences and partnerships addressing housing, resilience and inclusive urban development. Participants also gathered across networking spaces, exhibitions and learning platforms, reinforcing the Forum’s role as a global space for exchange and collaboration.
As WUF13 continues in Baku, upcoming dialogues and special sessions will increasingly focus on the intersection between housing, climate resilience and urban transformation, exploring how cities can respond to growing environmental risks while advancing inclusive and sustainable communities.