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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Access to basic housing is a fundamental human right crucial for the individual's security, health, and dignity. Shelter provides protection from environmental elements and is essential for personal stability and well-being. Adequate housing must be more than just a roof over one's head; it should include safe, affordable, and accessible accommodations with the necessary amenities for living a healthy life.
Homelessness
Homelessness
"Homelessness can take various forms: some people sleep in the streets, some in public spaces, and others are temporarily housed in emergency shelters.
This makes measuring the extent of homelessness difficult. First, countries define and measure homelessness differently, making numbers challenging to compare. Methods sometimes even differ for the same country over time or across regions.
Second, these statistics can miss people who are only briefly homeless, stay with friends, live in their car, or do not seek formal support.
However, while it is challenging to measure homelessness, it is essential to try. Housing is a basic human need and homelessness matters for many other problems that we focus on at Our World in Data. People who are homeless often face poverty, poorer physical and mental health, and shorter lifespans." - Our World in Data: Homelessness
The Impact of Gender & Sexuality on Homelessness
The Impact of Gender & Sexuality on Homelessness
Gender and sexuality can put certain people at increased risk of homelessness, depending on culture and other local factors.
Benefits of Basic Housing
Benefits of Basic Housing
Security and Stability
Security and Stability
A safe and secure home environment is essential for personal and social stability. Adequate housing reduces exposure to crime, violence, and environmental risks, contributing to better mental and physical health outcomes.
Released Prisoners with Basic Housing
Released Prisoners with Basic Housing
"Evidence shows that offenders in stable accommodation are 50% less likely to commit further crimes - reducing the annual £18 billion cost of reoffending on society. Having an address also allows offenders to find work and access treatment for addictions and mental health problems, while being closely monitored by the Probation Service." - Ministry of Justice: Basic Housing to Keep Offenders Off Streets and Cut Crime
Health and Hygiene
Health and Hygiene
Proper living conditions, including sanitary facilities and access to clean water, are vital for preventing disease and maintaining overall health. Overcrowded and substandard housing conditions can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and chronic health problems.
Economic and Social Benefits
Economic and Social Benefits
Adequate housing supports social integration and economic productivity. Secure housing enables individuals to pursue education, employment, and social opportunities. It also supports family life, providing a stable environment for children's development.
Easier for People to Engage in Sustainable Lifestyles
Easier for People to Engage in Sustainable Lifestyles
Anyone who has had to live "off grid" due to climate change and extreme weather events knows life is much harder when you don't have running water, electricity, or other things we commonly take for granted when we have our own homes. Investing in insulation, solar panels, and other eco-friendly systems is most practical when you have a place you know you'll stay for some time.
Dangers from Lack of Adequate Housing
Dangers from Lack of Adequate Housing
Dangers to Those without Housing
Dangers to Those without Housing
Despite the recognized importance of housing, many individuals and communities face challenges in accessing adequate housing. These challenges include poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive policies and programs to ensure equitable access to housing.
Community Dangers
Community Dangers
Increased homelessness increases crime rates and can help spread disease. It is in everyone's interest to ensure that all humans have access to adequate housing, including supported living facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Solutions
Solutions
Global Initiatives
Global Initiatives
International efforts, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, aim to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This involves enhancing housing quality, upgrading slums, and ensuring affordable housing options.
Securing access to basic housing is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, and communities. By prioritizing adequate housing, societies can promote the well-being and dignity of all individuals.
Financial Support
Financial Support
Advocates support the implementation of a universal basic income or similar programs to help ensure that even those who are unable to work can rely on a reasonable safety net to help meet their basic needs such as shelter and food.
Reasonably-Sized Living Spaces
Reasonably-Sized Living Spaces
As the wealth gap expands, and people continue to over-consume, the general trend in many places has been to build bigger homes to accommodate the extra clutter. However our Living Spaces page explores how inappropriate home sizes can contribute to poor mental health, the loneliness epidemic, as well as other important issues.
By focusing on building homes and communities that improve our mental health, and give us opportunities to visit with family and friends, we'll not only end up with enough space for everyone, but help solve some of societies other big problems with less resources and without adding to disparity.
Sustainable Building Opportunities
Sustainable Building Opportunities
As climate change threatens larger swathes of humanity with homelessness and hunger, is is more important than ever to consider housing options through an environmental lens.
When we build or rebuild, we can improve lives and the state of our environment by considering energy-saving designs to reduce reliance on gas heaters or A/C units which both make climate change worse. We can also reduce the impacts of deforestation and mining by using reclaimed building materials whenever possible.
Resources
Resources
Oceana
Oceana
New Zealand
New Zealand
Aotearoa/New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) New Zealand has one of the world's highest homelessness rates among first world nations.
Maps
Maps
Funding & Grants
Funding & Grants
International
International
Habitat for Humanity’s Tithe Program "Through Habitat for Humanity’s tithe program, our U.S. affiliates are expected to contribute 10% of their unrestricted revenue each year in support of Habitat’s global ministry. The biblically-based practice has created a continual cycle of generosity and partnership, transcending borders and languages.
The concept of tithe started at Habitat in 1979 when Habitat co-founders Millard and Linda Fuller visited the Democratic Republic of Congo for a home dedication ceremony in the village of Ntondo. During the ceremony, the local Habitat leader took up a collection and asked that half of that money be used to start another Habitat program. That tithe created another Habitat in Guatemala. From that one small gift, Habitat’s tithe program grew.
Today, each U.S. affiliate determines the designation of their tithe — whether to an eligible Habitat national organization or to one of three tithe funds:"
The Global Mission Fund
The International Disasters Fund
The Orphans and Vulnerable Groups Fund
North America
North America
USA
USA
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat Capital "Habitat helps our U.S. affiliates build homes and provide affordable mortgages. Habitat Capital creates and provides financial services and capital that enable equitable homeownership opportunities and affordable housing solutions for underserved people. By helping to remove barriers to homeownership, Habitat Capital helps foster vibrant and diverse communities."
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