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The financialisation of housing and the rapid growth of informal settlements continue to fuel a global housing crisis. Today, over 1.6 billion people live without adequate housing or access to basic services. This urgent issue is increasingly recognised by governments, policymakers, financial institutions, and civil society—but the question remains: how do we effectively respond?
At World Habitat, we believe the answer lies in Community-Led Housing (CLH). That’s why we’ve partnered with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and CLH champions worldwide to promote CLH as a transformative solution that benefits both people and the planet.
Why Community-Led Housing?
CLH offers a sustainable, inclusive, and people-powered approach to housing. Yet, many decision-makers remain unaware of its potential. Our goal is to raise awareness, build support, and encourage the scaling-up of CLH initiatives at local, national, and global levels.
What We’re Doing
Together with IIED and our international partners, we are:
- Identifying barriers that prevent wider adoption of CLH.
- Creating case studies from diverse regions to highlight challenges and successes.
- Analysing global trends to place local experiences in a broader context.
- Developing strategies and tools to help overcome common obstacles.
Our research will inform an advocacy strategy to shift the mindset of key stakeholders—policymakers, funders, and planners—towards the benefits of CLH. We’ll also produce policy recommendations, toolkits, and shared resources to support CLH initiatives worldwide.
Our Global Collaboration
World Habitat is coordinating case studies in:
- Switzerland (urbaMonde)
- Slovenia (Zadrugator)
IIED is leading research in:
- Brazil (Catalytic Communities)
- Malawi (Centre for Community Organisation and Development)
- Zambia (Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat)
- Nepal (Lumanti Support Group for Shelter)
This project is supported by re:arc Institute
Learn More
- What is Community-Led Housing?
- Towards Housing Justice: Four Propositions to Transform Policy and Practice | IIED
- Community-Led Housing: A Pathway for More Caring and Just Urban Futures
