Cairo, 7 November 2024
The atmosphere buzzed with urgency at the World Urban Forum’s special session, “It All Starts at Home.” Leaders worldwide huddled in intense debate, seeking solutions to the global housing crisis. Affordable housing, climate resilience, and land rights all took centre stage as they discussed the daunting challenges and hopeful possibilities in tackling homelessness.
Professor Bishwapriya Sanyal from MIT voiced a harsh reality: “Housing is no longer a crisis just in developing nations—it’s reaching into the heart of the developed world.” As the audience nodded, Beth Chitekwe-Biti added a fresh perspective on slums and informal settlements, seeing them as unexpected beacons of hope. “These communities are organized, they collect data, they plan. Often, they just need that last bit of support from the government.”
Somsook Boonyabancha emphasized that change was possible but called for adaptive financial systems to empower low-income communities. “People are ready, but the tools aren’t there” she urged.
As the day drew to a close, leaders left with a reinforced vision: Adequate housing wasn’t just an aspiration; it was a human right. The world was watching, and this time, they needed real solutions.
