Pledge your voice
More than 1 billion people in informal settlements are not treated as equals.
home equals
Home Equals is a five-year global advocacy campaign dedicated to achieving policy change, at all levels, to ensure that people living in informal settlements have equitable access to adequate housing. Together, with partners, governments and communities, we can create lasting change so that people living in informal settlements have safe and secure homes.
Discover how improvements in informal settlements yield health benefits for women.
the invisible 1 billion
Currently, the more than 1 billion people around the world living in informal settlements, such as slums or favelas, are not treated as equals — their homes often lack basic services, land tenure security and climate resilience.
A home without access to clean water means families are at risk of life-threatening diseases.
A home without land rights means families live in fear of eviction with their futures on hold.
A poorly built home in a disaster-prone area means families are more vulnerable to climate change.
A home where civic participation is limited means families struggle to have their voices heard.
This isn’t fair, this isn’t right. It will take the power of communities coupled with policy change to ensure access to adequate housing for all.
removing barriers
With fewer barriers in their way, people in informal settlements can improve their homes, creating benefits for themselves, their families and their communities. Because:
Home equals health.
Home equals safety and security.
Home equals opportunity for a better future.
Informal settlements hold infinite promise. In these bustling communities, innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Even in the face of barriers, resilient residents of informal settlements are doing their part to create positive change.
But grassroots initiatives, while powerful, can only go so far. Governments must listen to residents of informal settlements, turn their ideas into action and recognize that when people living in informal settlements have adequate housing, everyone benefits.
removing barriers
As a global housing leader, Habitat for Humanity has a unique opportunity in ensuring that access to adequate housing is prioritized around the world. Together, we can advance policies that unlock the potential of people who deserve an equal shot at a decent home.
These improvements raise a country’s overall Human Development Index and, beyond that, lead to greater climate justice, gender equality and political inclusion.
act now
The time to act is now. Without coordinated efforts, the challenges facing people in informal settlements will continue to grow.
Home is the foundation on which we build our lives and our communities.
our story
Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in our local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a decent, safe, affordable place to call home.
Since our founding in 1976, together we have helped tens of millions of people in countries around the world build their life on their own terms through access to decent, affordable housing.
We’ve done that by working alongside them to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing to make it easier for others to build, and by advocating for policies that make building and accessing housing easier for everyone.
We believe everyone deserves a safe
and decent place to live.
Every safe, affordable home sparks wider change, leading to better health, education and well-being, more economic growth and less poverty. Peace of mind and the ability to focus on what matters most — it all starts with a home.
Together, we build opportunity
We build alongside families in Australia and overseas, creating safe, affordable homes together. By partnering with communities and strengthening housing systems, we help remove barriers so that more families can access the security, independence and opportunity that a decent home provides.
Together, we build thriving communities
We build more than homes, we build opportunity and stronger communities. Alongside families, we help improve water and sanitation, support health and education initiatives, and create pathways to financial independence and livelihoods. Every safe, affordable home sparks wider change, leading to generational impact that communities can carry forward.
our strategic plan
Our goal is to triple our impact and scale our work by 2027. Discover how we’re building together to expand access to safe, affordable homes in Australia and around the world — and how you can join us. Together, we create the opportunity for thousands of families to build stability, independence and brighter futures.