Habitat for Humanity addressed the crisis of affordable and inclusive housing in Asia and the Pacific and urged stakeholders to take sustainable approaches for adequate housing in informal settlements, at a press conference hosted by the global non-profit housing organization today. Habitat also highlighted its efforts to improve the residential environment in Korea.
The ninth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum 2023, which will be held in Suwon, Korea on October 26 and 27, was introduced as well. The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, which will be held in Korea for the first time since its inception in 2007, gathers major stakeholders engaged in seeking solutions to affordable housing issues and promoting decent housing as a driver of economic growth. Over 300 participants are expected this year to not only shared common ground for discussion, but also present diverse views through two insightful plenaries, four engaging tracks, assemblies of key stakeholder groups – Youth and Business -, and an awards celebration of innovative solutions.
At the press conference, Luis Noda, Asia-Pacific Vice President, Habitat for Humanity International, remarked, “There is an immense and urgent need for adequate housing solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, as a rapid shift towards urbanization has caused urban populations to surpass rural populations. Furthermore, the housing problems are exacerbated by migration, raising inequality, aging and the effects of climate change and natural disasters.”
Currently, more than 1 billion people around the world live in informal settlements, such as slums or favelas, and their homes often lack basic services, land tenure security and climate resilience. Also, according to a United Nations study, the Asia-Pacific region’s urban dwellers will rise to more than 2.8 billion by 2030 and reach nearly 3.5 billion in 2050. On a worldwide scale, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures should also always be meaningfully addressed in tandem with the growing housing gap of millions of people. In recent years, Habitat for Humanity has tested and implemented various ways on how housing can adapt to climate change.
“We need to strengthen the preparedness, response and resilience of cities through disaster-resilient infrastructure and improved access to basic services by upgrading the living conditions of slums and informal settlements, while improving the systems that affect access to affordable housing,” emphasized Mr. Noda, “For this reason, at the ninth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum themed ‘Enabling Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Informal Settlements,’ engaged stakeholders are going to discuss the need to develop people-centered and inclusive cities that provide social services, and safe and healthy environments, and to seek solutions to solve these matters.”
“Habitat Korea has been advocating for housing rights both domestically and internationally to address housing issues since our founding,” explained Lee Kwang-Hoe, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Korea, “In addition to campaigns to support descendants of independent fighters and veterans of the Korean War, we are engaged in a variety of domestic projects, including housing improvements for vulnerable children's households, wildfire and disaster response projects and other facility and environmental improvement projects. We also dispatch volunteers overseas to work on projects aimed at resolving housing and hygiene issues.”
Since 1994, Habitat Korea has built 26,961 houses in Korea and overseas and assisted and supported seniors living alone, multicultural families and other socially neglected individuals in the country to re-establish their self-reliance and improve their living conditions. In particular, since launching a campaign to improve the living environment of descendants of independence patriots, Habitat Korea has helped over 110 households to build or improve their homes to date.
Habitat for Humanity Korea has been providing comfortable shelter in 25 countries around the world, including Asia, Africa, and Latin America, laying the foundation for a stable life. We are also promoting the sustainable development of local communities through sector-specific approaches such as improving the drinking water and sanitation environment, improving the educational environment, and reducing disaster risks.
This year, the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum will be held in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific on October 26 and 27, 2023 at the ibis Ambassador Hotel, Suwon, South Korea and feature four main tracks: Adequate Housing in Informal Settlements; Climate Change and Affordable Housing; Financing and Affordable Housing; and Addressing the Rising Challenges in Housing.
The Innovation Awards will also be held during the forum. This competition gives entrepreneurs, start-ups and representatives from government housing agencies selected from the Asia-Pacific region the opportunity to pitch their outstanding initiatives, technology, and programs to a live audience. The Awards promotes and celebrates individuals and organizations that push the boundaries of creativity---while remaining sustainable and practical---in solving the housing challenges faced by vulnerable and low-income communities.