The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, otherwise known as UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency responsible for human settlements. UN-Habitat is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. Its’ partners range from governments and local authorities to a wide international cross-section of Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society groups.

In accordance with its work programme, UN-Habitat’s operational activities are focused on the following:

• Promoting Shelter for all;
• Improving urban governance;
• Reducing urban poverty;
• Improving the living environment; and
• Managing disaster mitigation and post-conflict rehabilitation.

UN-Habitat is focused on supporting governments in the formulation of policies and strategies to both create and strengthen a self-reliant management capacity at both national and local levels. Technical and managerial expertise is provided for:

• The assessment of human settlement development constraints and opportunities;
• The identification and analysis of policy options;
• The design and implementation of housing and urban development projects;
• The mobilization of national resources; and
• External support for improving human settlement conditions.