Global Housing Indicators Working Group launched at World Urban Forum

MEDELLÍN, Colombia (April 11, 2014) — Building on nearly two decades of collecting and analyzing comprehensive housing indicator data, Habitat for Humanity International joined other urban development experts in introducing the newly formed Global Housing Indicators Working Group and its research and policy agenda at the seventh World Urban Forum.

The GHI Working Group, a collaborative effort of Cities Alliance, Habitat for Humanity International, the Inter-American Development Bank, UN-Habitat and the World Bank, will focus on promoting equitable and sustainable housing and community development.

According to the signed joint declaration, members of the GHI Working Group recognize the central role housing plays in breaking the cycle of poverty and “believe that indicators can be powerful statistical measurement and policy analysis tools to improve effective and timely housing solutions.”

The GHI Working Group will provide a platform hosting housing indicators to address key but infrequently measured issues in housing. This comprehensive approach will focus on critical development factors, such as housing policies, laws and regulations, housing prices and finance, rental housing, gender equality, land tenure and informal housing.

“Access to housing has not kept pace with urban growth, so it’s important that we analyze and use measurable housing data to help us improve the housing solutions available to low-income families,” said Jane Katz, Habitat for Humanity International’s director of international affairs and programs. “Empirical data on relevant measurements deepens our understanding of housing policy and ensures that policy changes yield concrete, positive results for families around the world.”

Supporters of the GHI Working Group include Global Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Institutions, organizations and individuals interested in participating in the GHI Working Group should contact [email protected].

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s advocacy initiatives, please visit www.habitat.org/gov.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.