top of page
Snigdha Kundu

World Habitat Day 2024

Introduction 


World Habitat Day is a prominent reminder of the significance of sustainable urbanisation. It also symbolises the need for proper housing for all. Established in 1985 by the United Nations, this day spreads awareness about challenges faced due to urban growth in overcrowding, environmental degradation, and insufficient infrastructure. 

At UN habitat various aspects of society and environment are monitored. According to the observation, constructive changes are undergone. Effective settlements are carried out by using collaborative actions. The organisation's mission is to “think, do, share and partner”. This article will discuss the various aspects related to World Habitat Day. 


What is World Habitat Day? 


The World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the 40/202 General Assembly resolution.  The event was first celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi. The primary purpose of this specific day is to reflect on the conditions of the towns and cities regarding adequate shelter allocation. World Habitat Day inspires governments and enterprises to incorporate actions in their proceedings to provide a better quality of life in towns and cities. The event also focuses on the various dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs). Specifically on SDG11 which targets making human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable. 


Every year the event focuses on a specific theme to uplift aspects of sustainable urbanisation. The UN-Habitat coordinates the celebrations around the world. Every time a different host icty is selected to celebrate the event. Since 1985, 29 cities have hosted the event of World Habitat Day. 



Learn about World Habitat Day and Homelessness in India
World Habitat Day 2024

Image Source: Canva


Significance of This Day


World Habitat Day glorifies the significance of sustainable urban development and the requirement of housing for everyone. This day was established in 1985 by the United Nations. The event deals with the challenges of pollution, climate change and the depletion of resources. The day focuses on the right to affordable and safe housing taking into account the issues related to homelessness. World Habitat Day encourages various communities to participate in activities which promote urban policies and shape the overall habitat. 

The event focuses on different themes every year and it fosters international unity regarding urban issues and their solution. Along with all this, world Habit Day acts as a platform to educate the general public. It advocates policy changes that can enhance the quality of the urban living conditions. Overall the significance is undeniable as World Habit Day fosters a feeling of shared responsibility towards sustainable living practices for future generations. 

 

World Habitat Day 2024 


This year World Habitat Day will be celebrated on 7th October, Monday at Queretaro City Mexico. It is marked on the first Monday of October of each year and is conducted by the collective work of the United Nations. The primary aim will be to reflect on the living conditions of the people in the cities and matters related to proper sheltering. The specific day also intends to remind everyone that every individual can shape the future of the towns, in their own hands. 

The theme for World Habitat Day 2024 is “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future”. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced this. This year's theme highlights young people's crucial role in creating a better and sustainable future. Topics such as investment in education, promoting entrepreneurship, expansion of digital skills, affordable housing plans and a few others will be the prime areas of discussion. Topics that are important for the incorporation of awareness regarding a better future have been selected for this year's event.


India And the Total Number of Homeless People 


According to the latest estimates, the number of  Homeless People in India is alarming. According to the census of 2011, roughly around 1.77 million people were homeless. Though the recent reports suggest the actual number of homeless people has increased by a great percentage. The numbers may have reached several million due to various reasons such as economic challenges, urban migration and the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Based on the data of the Census 2011, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of homeless population around 3.94 lakhs. The lowest homeless population is seen in Mizoram which is around 152. These numbers have been recorded in the year 2011, which indicates the statistics have changed manyfold in the year 2024. 


Generally in India, the homeless population is concentrated in metropolitan cities where high economic opportunities tempt the migrants. Though in big cities the options for affordable housing are limited. The key factors which contribute to the conditions of homelessness include unemployment, social issues, poverty and a few others.


In some of the efforts to quench the issue of homelessness, the government of India has launched various initiatives such as PMAYG ( Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana ). Various community programs and non-profit organisations are trying to provide shelter and rehabilitation. Despite all the efforts the problem of homelessness is a complex one and demands comprehensive attention. 


The Global Numbers 


Homelessness is a complex issue which is faced worldwide. This issue varies from region to region but is one of the biggest concerns of governments globally. The United Nations has recorded around 150 million reports of homeless cases in 2021. However, the number is way more as there are numerous unrecorded cases. In the United States around 580,000 people are homeless. The number is not fixed as it fluctuates from day to day. Significantly urban areas such as Los Angeles and New York face these issues dominantly. Along with the issue of homelessness, the problem of drug abuse lingers. These two problems in a combined way have drastically affected the well-being of the big cities of America.


The problem is relevant in Europe as well, with over 700,000 cases of homeless. The rates of homelessness are higher in countries such as Germany and France. Africa faces the same problem as well. The tentative numbers are not known but the number of people live in informal settlements and slums. Along with this, the living conditions are very poor, with no proper sanitation measures, medical facilities and other necessary amenities.  The causes can be anything ranging from poverty to substance abuse. 


The chart shows the gender segregation of people who face issues with homelessness. Men tend to face more issues with homelessness compared to women. The ratios vary from place to place. In Costa Rica and Colombia, only one out of ten homeless people are women. In the UK and New Zealand, women experience more homelessness compared to men. 


Government Initiatives in India For The Homeless


The government of India has launched various initiatives to handle issues with Homeless People in India. Some of them are:

  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY): The scheme targets to provide affordable housing to people from lower economic backgrounds including the homeless. This particular yojana focuses on the construction of houses and availing financial aids to the needy families. 

  • National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM): This particular initiative was launched in 2013. Through this scheme, the government aims the reduce poverty by the promotion of self-employment. It also focuses on providing provision of housing and shelter to the homeless. The scheme of Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) is also a part of the NULM. It deals with the areas of providing shelter, basic amenities and food to the homeless individuals in cities. 

  • Integrated Homelessness Prevention and Management (IMPM): This initiative incorporates the various local and state governments working accumulatively to provide services such as social support, vocational training and healthcare to homeless individuals. 

  • National Policy for the Homeless: This policy was created to foster a comprehensive approach to handling homelessness. This policy throws light on the need for adequate housing, access to necessary services and social security. 


Apart from these, there are various policies such as sustainable Urban Transport projects, various state-specific schemes and skill development programs. All these projects and schemes have a collective goal of providing better opportunities to homeless people. Along with it they also target the reduction of the homeless conditions.  


Conclusion


This article covers the various aspects of World Habitat Day and the problem of  Homeless People in India and worldwide. The primary aim is to educate the readers about the statistics and the current situation related to the problem of homelessness. The topics covered are very crucial as ignoring them would hamper the overall well-being of any country or nation. To have further knowledge and understanding please visit the website of UN-Habitat. 


FAQs


Q1. When the World Habitat Day will be celebrated in 2024?

World Habitat Day will be celebrated on 7th October in Mexico, this year.

Q2. What are ways in which individuals participate in the World Habitat day? 

Individuals can take part in local events, engaging in topics of housing issues. They can also increase awareness about such topics by giving speeches and involving in activities which help in the promotion of such issues. 

Q3. What are the causes of homelessness in India?

Some of the reasons for homelessness in India are Poverty, and natural disasters such as floods, and earthquakes. Issues such as caste discrimination and domestic violence can act as a reason for this problem. 

Q4. What jurisdictions do homeless people have in India? 

The Constitution of India provides the right to personal liberty and the right to life to the homeless.


References 

Comments


bottom of page