Prepared by Lindsey Adjoa Assamouah Abotsi
At Habitat for Humanity, we know that dignity starts with a home. A house is much more than four walls and a roof—it is the secure foundation upon which health, education, economic stability, and family futures are built.
Yet, for millions of people worldwide, the path to a safe and affordable home has become an uphill battle.
Released today on World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity International’s landmark global study, Home at What Cost?, sheds light on the profound impact housing has on well-being and financial security across 30,000 respondents in 22 countries.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the findings are both a sobering wake-up call and a clear roadmap for action.
According to the report, 66% of respondents in Côte d’Ivoire reported being dissatisfied with their housing situation—the highest level recorded among all 22 countries surveyed globally, and nearly double the global average of 35%.
As Ivory Coast experiences rapid urban growth alongside escalating climate and environmental pressures, these numbers remind us that housing insecurity is not just a structural issue; it is a human one that touches every aspect of daily life:
Globally, 75% of people report cutting back on essential expenses just to afford housing costs, while nearly half state that a single unexpected expense could put their housing stability at risk..
58% of parents worry that high housing costs are actively limiting opportunities for their children, and 35% name housing as one of the greatest sources of stress in their lives.
Despite these pressures, 89% of respondents agree that safe, comfortable, and reliable housing is vital for supporting mental well-being.
Housing security and climate resilience are deeply interconnected. With nearly one-third of global respondents anticipating that extreme weather will make living conditions harder over the next three years—and 18% feeling unprotected from hazards like flooding—building climate-resilient homes has never been more urgent.
As highlighted by YAO Sény Jean-Jacques, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Côte d’Ivoire:
« The findings show that addressing housing challenges is not only about improving living conditions. It is about strengthening health, resilience, economic opportunity, and long-term development. »
From integrating Nature-Based Solutions along our coastlines to expanding access to affordable, climate-resilient housing, we must look beyond basic shelter to build communities that can withstand tomorrow’s challenges.
On this World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity calls on governments, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector actors to work hand in hand to expand access to adequate, affordable, and resilient housing for all.
When we invest in housing, we invest in health, education, and prosperity.
