HFHI Statement following the release of the G7 priorities

ATLANTA (Jan. 28, 2026) – Habitat for Humanity International welcomes France’s announcement of its G7 priorities for 2026 and strongly supports the focus on development finance reform, international climate action, and support for countries facing fragility. We urge the G7 to recognize that adequate and affordable housing is essential to achieving these goals. 

Over 2.8 billion people lack adequate housing, and more than 1.1 billion live in informal settlements. The housing crisis affects every country and every community worldwide, with devastating consequences. Lack of access to adequate and affordable housing drives instability, limits economic growth, and has negative implications on human development. Communities living in informal settlements – already facing systemic exclusion – are among the most exposed to climate risks.  

Adequate and affordable housing is a proven driver of climate resilience, health, education, and economic growth. Research from the Agence Française de Développement shows that improving housing conditions advances 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and can deliver major gains in GDP, schooling, life expectancy, and safety. Upgrading existing housing is 23% more cost-effective than new construction and can avoid up to 4.9 gigatons of CO₂ emissions.

Yet, despite the clear need for adequate housing, it remains largely absent from global development and climate strategies. An analysis of Official Development Assistance (ODA) shows that less than 1% of development finance goes to housing. Additionally, Habitat for Humanity’s review of 188 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) found that only 2% show strong housing ambition, while 60% show little or none.1 Countries that have prioritized housing in their climate resilience plans receive limited development 
 
France has been a global leader in elevating housing through initiatives such as the Open-ended Inter-governmental Working Group on Adequate Housing (OEGW-H), Global Champions for Adequate and Affordable Housing, the Chaillot Declaration the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Belém Call to Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing, and the AFD’s Sustainable Housing Initiative. In their commitment to reduce global inequality, the 2026 G7 Presidency is a critical opportunity to build on this momentum. 

Through France’s leadership, we call on the G7 to: 

  1. Elevate housing as a crosscutting priority for climate resilience and inclusive development – crafting new pathways for housing finance through multilateral agencies and climate-focused funds.
  2. Track and measure ODA for housing, improve current methodologies employed by the OECD, and lead analysis of housing as a catalyst for international development outcomes. Convene a high-level dialogue with partner countries to align housing strategies as an international development priority.
  3. Scale innovation and collective action, building on France’s leadership in housing, globally. 

By placing housing at the center of its G7 agenda, France can help drive a global response that strengthens resilience, reduces inequality, and enhances global stability. The government of France has rightly noted that addressing these challenges is a shared responsibility and requires collective ambition. Habitat for Humanity stands ready to partner in this effort, turning vision into real action for communities worldwide. 

About Habitat for Humanity 

Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976 as a Christian organization, together we have helped more than 65 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We’ve done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope. To learn more, visit habitat.org.