75 percent of land worldwide is not legally documented. Without secure land tenure, millions of people in developing countries are left vulnerable and face the fear eviction and displacement on a daily basis.
As part of Urban October Habitat is raising awareness of the need for safe and decent housing. Having secure land, in order to build safe shelter plays a significant role in this.
Around the world, many people have no rights to land on which to live. In fact, at least 1 billion people in cities around the world lack secure land rights. In many countries, land systems are broken and most people in the world who lack adequate housing are not able to secure title to land. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to helping families most in need of housing, but first they must have access to land on which to build a home.
For so many years, Marnet made up one person in the enormous number of people without secure tenure.
Marnet and her family lived in an informal settlement by the roadside until 2012, when they were forcibly evicted to make way for a new development. Marnet and her family had to start again by re-building their makeshift home and began selling groceries. Although they were starting to get back on their feet, they still did not own the land on which they lived and the threat of forced eviction loomed.
With the help of Habitat’s Social Land Concession project, Marnet learnt about the application process to gain secure tenure. She was also assisted through the family selection process by Habitat and after being approved, Marnet was able to select a plot of land she could call her own, where she has built a home.
“I am very excited that my family finally have our own secure land from the government where we can build our own house, grow my home business and have a secure future. It was really important to be part of the community activities during the application process. We had direction, worked with the government and had support from the group,” said Marnet.
What is Solid Ground?
Around the world, many people have no rights to land on which to live. In fact, at least 1 billion people in cities around the world lack secure land rights. In many countries, land systems are broken and most people in the world who lack adequate housing are not able to secure title to land. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to helping families most in need of housing, but first they must have access to land on which to build a home.
Solid Ground, our global advocacy campaign, was created precisely to address this fundamental issue of access to land for shelter. By working with families like Marnet’s we are helping more families access secure land, and also distribute awareness raising materials.
Solid Ground’s mission is to change land policy and systems to ensure that more people around the globe can have a decent home.
Read more
Solid Ground – secure tenure, secure homes
Why housing matters
