Housing stands at the center of the New Urban Agenda. Expansion of housing opportunities will support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,
especially Sustainable Development Goal housing target 11.1, but larger Goals of poverty alleviation, health, economic development, social cohesion, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. This Policy Unit urges all United Nations Member States to prioritize housing as one of the highest priorities in their government agenda and to strengthen the institutional capacity of their housing departments to achieve ambitious goals, in collaboration with civil society, donors, and private sector partners. The expected global population increase of 1.18 billion by 2030 combined with the existing housing deficit (currently 880 million people live in inadequate housing in cities), implies that approximately 2 billion people will require housing in 2030. This creates an unprecedented housing challenge. Although progress has been achieved in several key areas since Habitat II, the scale has not been commensurate to the size of the global housing deficit. The success of the New Urban Agenda will depend on the collaboration in its design and implementation by all stakeholders. All levels of government will have a role in creating enabling environments for housing policies and legislation, and in ensuring the right to adequate housing for all. Civil society organizations will be critical in creating access to adequate housing and infrastructure by building partnerships with residents. The private sector will be essential in mobilizing resources to supply a menu of housing options including rentals, housing preservation, and rehabilitation, as well as in expanding the affordable housing stock. The donor community will play a key role in elevating the visibility and in mobilizing support for housing on the international development agenda.