Introduction 

Housing insecurity exists around the world, but not always in the same way. Population sizes, how the problem is defined, and the law all differ from country to country. These differences reflect how countries view homelessness and seek to solve the problem. It is up to delegates in UN-Habitat to take these perspectives and propose solutions. Definitions of homelessness and new plans in sustainable development around the globe are critical for debate.

Differing Status of Homelessness in Different Blocs 

Understanding how homelessness is assessed and defined is important. These definitions impact how a country’s need for aid is assessed. One key difference is how homelessness is measured from country to country. A common way that some countries count the number of homeless is by counting on a single night each year those living on the street. This method is used in places such as the United States and Hong Kong. The 2025 US State of Homelessness Report found that homelessness reached a record high in 2024, the highest total since data tracking began in 2007.

Critics say that this method of counting people in one night misses many individuals. To help combat this problem, new methods of counting homelessness are being developed that combine street counts, shelter data, and administrative records, rather than relying on a single-night snapshot. Some surveys also collect data directly from shelters, social services, and NGOs over a longer period, capturing people in transition who are often missed by one-night counts. In Canada, new questions will be added to the long-form census to capture whether a person has experienced homelessness in the past 12 months or is experiencing homelessness. The European Union also uses shared definitions of homelessness, such as including people in emergency accommodation, temporary housing, or institutional settings without permanent housing. This allows countries to more accurately compare numbers and improve the reliability of these counts.

Many countries do not report the total number of homeless people or have limited reporting. However, varying measures of poverty and wealth inequality can be used to estimate the homeless and near-homeless populations. In Indonesia, 19 percent of the population lives in urban slums. In the Republic of Korea, it was reported that 40 percent of people over 65 live in relative poverty. Both examples of data are focused on people living close to but not quite in homelessness. These indicators do not measure homelessness directly, but they act as proxies for housing insecurity. This can help identify populations most at risk. In regions where formal counts are limited, such data can guide early intervention and prevention policies.

Countries also treat their homeless population very differently. Criminalization of homelessness varies from country to country. Some anti-vagrancy laws target those who live outdoors and punish them for doing so. This approach often makes the problem worse and does not address the root causes of homelessness. For instance, in Ontario, Canada, new 2025 laws seek to “clean up” public spaces by clearing encampments. One of the people affected was an 84-year-old woman who moved to an encampment after her spouse died, and she could not afford housing. However, the law has moved forward, claiming this is necessary for public safety.

Knowing these differences in treatment and data collection is critical for any plan. Delegates should work to acquire the best data available and use it when proposing solutions. Funding may require new standards on how homelessness is counted and defined. Any plan must take these variables into account and ensure that the resources of UN-Habitat are best used.

Helping the Homeless Through Sustainable Development 

UN-Habitat has helped change the discussion of homelessness. In the past, housing support was often seen as a secondary issue. Now, UN-Habitat encourages housing as a basic part of strong cities and a fundamental human right. Housing is seen as a public good that helps cities grow in fair and safe ways. UN-Habitat also connects solutions for homelessness to broader climate and infrastructure goals.

Countries should focus on long-term solutions. Housing policy does not stand alone from the rest of the city and regional planning. For now, much work remains to be done. Recent UN reports claim that improvements in the global housing situation have been stagnant or worsening worldwide. Therefore, action must be taken soon.

This shift also changes how solutions should be made. According to the recent Sustainable Development Goals Report, three billion people worldwide are housing insecure. This means that they are having trouble finding or affording housing. Currently, more than half the global population lives in cities, and an estimated seven out of 10 people will likely live in urban areas by 2050. However, rapid and poorly planned urbanization leads to a shortage of affordable housing. This puts a strain on cities and makes achieving all SDGs, especially Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities much harder.

Building more affordable housing and thoughtfully planning cities that can handle climate risks can help combat the issue but will require much investment. It also indicates that homelessness cannot be solved with one plan or one agency. Rules about zoning, transportation, and land use all affect who can access housing. Climate change is also playing a large role in this problem. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and intense. This displaces people. For example, over 90 percent of people experiencing homelessness live in urban and suburban areas and are exposed to greater heat stress and pollution. Therefore, sustainable housing not only helps countries today but also helps plan for the future.

UN-Habitat must look at the problem from all sides to ensure long-term success. This means the committee should encourage broader infrastructure ideas, not only humanitarian responses. Delegates should look at the SDGs and urban planning for inspiration. Homelessness can be combatted as part of the broader goals. Understanding this is key to tackling these problems effectively.

Conclusion

Homelessness is challenging to solve globally because every country treats it differently. The problem also looks very different across the globe. Plans must both consider the current status of things and also the root causes of these issues. These are not issues that can be quickly fixed but require large-scale reform. Including the SDGs within these plans will help ensure they reach this. As climate change and other issues worldwide continue to worsen, these goals will become more important. UN-Habitat’s plans can help prepare countries for new problems.

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