Driving Policy Change for Equitable Access to Adequate Housing in Informal Settlements | Home Equals скачать в хорошем качестве

Driving Policy Change for Equitable Access to Adequate Housing in Informal Settlements | Home Equals

Home Equals is a five-year global advocacy campaign launched by Habitat for Humanity, aimed at achieving policy changes to ensure that people living in informal settlements have equitable access to adequate housing. The campaign seeks to create lasting change by collaborating with partners, governments, and communities to provide safe and secure homes for over 1 billion people living in such conditions. The initiative emphasizes that housing is not just about shelter but also encompasses health, education, and economic opportunities. Home Equals in Kenya Over the last three years, together with partners, the Home Equals Campaign in Kenya has focused on fixing the systems that keep people locked out of adequate housing. In Homa Bay County, 95 local administration officers were trained on land dispute mitigation and succession management in collaboration with the Law Society of Kenya, National Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development. Reported land cases in Ndhiwa Sub-County dropped from eight per day to three per day. At community level, 850 residents were sensitized on land rights and titling processes. Over 400 accessed legal land aid, with 14 vulnerable cases now receiving pro-bono legal representation. This is what prevention looks like. Build institutional capacity. Equip citizens with knowledge. De-escalate disputes before they reach court. The Campaign also supported 20 county land officials on the Land Information Management System. In Homa Bay, sustained advocacy contributed to a commitment to increase land registries from two to five. Access to land data is access to justice. Basic Services That Demonstrate Equity In Mukuru Informal Settlement, four prepaid water dispensers have been installed. Affordable and reliable water access is foundational to adequate housing. A proof point for policy. When utilities, civil society and communities align, service delivery in informal settlements works. During the floods and forced evictions earlier in 2025, more than 127,000 residents in Nairobi were displaced. We convened town halls across three settlements, engaging roughly 500 residents. Youth champions mobilized online, generating over 2,000 posts under #EvictionsBilaForm. Together with partners including Amnesty International and Slum Dwellers International, a Solidarity Statement called for a community-centered Relocation Action Plan in emergencies. Emergencies must not erase rights. Policy Influence That Moves the Needle Through collaboration with the Architectural Association of Kenya, we convened over 400 stakeholders at the Kenya National Housing Symposium to drive structured dialogue on sustainable housing solutions. At national level, we contributed to the review of the Proposed Land Amendment Bill 2022 through coalition memoranda submitted to the Senate. At continental level, we participated in the Africa Urban Forum, positioning tenure reform and informal settlements at the center of urban development discourse. This is coordinated advocacy. Local evidence informing national reform. Housing equality is complex. It requires collective effort, partnerships, and long-term focus. And that was the goal of Home Equals. Stronger institutions. Informed communities. Accountable systems. That is how adequate housing becomes real for everyone.