Over one billion people globally live in overcrowded slums or informal settlements with inadequate housing, a major under-recognized development issue. Denis Jobin, a UNICEF evaluation specialist, highlighted the invisibility of these communities, noting a self-built school in Mathare, Kenya, as an example of localized development. UN officials, including Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Under-Secretary-General Rola Dashti, emphasized the importance of affordable housing as a fundamental human right and the foundation for other development goals. Children in slums face significantly higher mortality and malnutrition rates, while women and girls experience increased vulnerability to violence and exploitation. The World Bank estimates 1.2 million people move to cities weekly, exacerbating the issue, with projections indicating three billion people will live in informal settlements by 2050. Experts acknowledge the challenges in data collection and intervention, citing issues with national data and informal governance structures.

Impact Statement: The lack of adequate housing disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, hindering progress towards sustainable development goals and requiring a fundamental shift in approach to address this global crisis.