International Day for Eradication of Poverty Highlights Right to Safe Housing

UN Photo/Kibae Park

Unsafe, unaffordable, overcrowded or insecure housing can reinforce poverty.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on 17 October, highlights the close links between ending poverty, protecting human rights, upholding human dignity and promoting peace.

Under the 2026–2028 theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights,” this year’s observance focuses on “Safe Homes for All”, according to the United Nations. The campaign highlights adequate housing as a foundation for security, participation in society and a life of dignity.

More than 2.8 billion people worldwide face some form of inadequate housing, according to UN figures, underscoring the scale of housing challenges and their connection to poverty and inequality.

"People already experiencing poverty and exclusion bear the greatest burden," a report by the UN said. "Without a safe and stable home, access to health care, education, employment and participation in community life becomes far more difficult."

Housing insecurity is not simply a question of shelter. Unsafe, unaffordable, overcrowded or insecure housing can reinforce poverty and exclusion, and undermine the enjoyment of other human rights. The 2026 concept note, therefore, calls for housing policies and systems that place human dignity, human rights and people's needs at their centre.

For 2026, the UN called for action in three key areas:

- Make safe housing a human-rights priority: Respect, protect and progressively fulfil the right to adequate housing, and give a dignified standard of living the appropriate priority in public policy and budgeting.
- Design policies with people experiencing poverty: Move beyond token consultation and involve people experiencing poverty and housing exclusion directly in the design, implementation and evaluation of housing policies, recognising them as rights- and knowledge-holders.
- Mobilise resources for safe homes for all: Strengthen public financing and other resources needed to expand access to safe, accessible and affordable housing while ensuring that no one is left behind.

The 2026 focus also builds on the Doha Political Declaration (A/RES/80/5), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly following the Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025. The Declaration reaffirms the right to an adequate standard of living - including adequate, safe, accessible and affordable housing; safe drinking water; and adequate sanitation and hygiene - while emphasizing action to address poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

Ensuring safe and adequate housing supports progress across the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 — No Poverty, SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.



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