Excellency, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand,
Honoured dignitaries, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
According to the joint ESCAP and UN-Habitat report, Crisis Resilient Urban Futures, launched last year at the 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8) in the Republic of Korea, the population of people living in urban areas in the region is projected to increase to 3.38 billion in 2050 from approximately 2.48 in 2023, resulting in an additional 970 million urban residents over the same period, all of whom will require access to quality, affordable housing.
Informal settlements are where many of the most marginalized and vulnerable people live in cities in our region. As of 2018, Asia and the Pacific had the largest number of people living in informal settlements globally, or approximately 650 million people.
Further, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, climate-fueled disasters in 2022 were the main driver of internal displacement over the past decade globally, forcing an estimated 20 million people from their homes each year.
To address these urban development challenges, it is essential to develop holistic housing, urban planning and disaster-risk management policies, strategies and regulations. These elements are critical if we are to effectively tackle the affordable housing crisis in our urban centres and create liveable cities for all citizens.
A key target of the Sustainable Development Goals, under Goal 11, target 11.1 is “to ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and upgrade slums by 2030.”
However, the foundational nature of housing makes it an integral part of several other SDGs.
First and foremost, we must recognize that a comprehensive approach is indispensable. Housing affordability cannot be addressed in isolation; it requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, non-profit organizations and most importantly the communities themselves.
By fostering public-private partnerships and having communities lead in the decision-making processes, we can ensure that the solutions we develop are not only effective but also sustainable and inclusive.
In many Asian and Pacific countries, housing costs significantly exceed the recommended threshold of 30 per cent of household income. The Urban Futures report recommends setting clear housing affordability targets across various tenure arrangements as a fundamental step.
These targets provide a roadmap and benchmarks against which we can measure our progress. They help in aligning the efforts of different stakeholders towards a common goal, ensuring that everyone is working in harmony to achieve housing affordability.
Providing incentives for the development of affordable housing is another crucial strategy. These incentives can take various forms, such as tax breaks, subsidies or grants, and they can significantly reduce the financial burden on developers, making affordable housing projects more viable and attractive.
Innovative financing mechanisms also play a pivotal role in this endeavor. Traditional financing models often fall short of meeting the needs of affordable housing. Therefore, we must explore and implement new financial instruments and models that can bridge the gap.
This might include community land trusts, cooperative housing models, or social impact bonds, all of which can mobilize additional resources for affordable housing.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Regulatory reforms are equally important. Streamlining processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles can accelerate the development of affordable housing projects.
We must reform regulations to make them more efficient and supportive of our housing goals, ensuring that they facilitate rather than hinder progress for people.
Targeted social housing programmes are essential for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations. These programmes must be designed to provide adequate support and resources to those who need them the most, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and decent housing.
Incremental upgrading of informal settlements, which supports an on-site approach within communities themselves, as opposed to relocation, is another critical aspect. Improving existing areas can have a profound impact on their residents' quality of life.
This includes not only providing better housing but also improving infrastructure, providing safe, green public spaces and improving access to services.
Promoting mixed-income neighborhoods is vital for fostering social cohesion and inclusivity. When people from different economic and social backgrounds live together, it creates a more diverse and vibrant community, reduces segregation and enhances social mobility.
Allocating public land for affordable housing is a strategy that can yield significant benefits. Public land is a valuable resource, and its strategic use for affordable housing can help meet the demand without the high costs associated with private land acquisition.
Including communities in all decision-making processes ensures that the solutions we implement are grounded in the real needs and aspirations of the people. Inclusion fosters a sense of ownership and enhances the sustainability of housing projects.
By implementing these measures, we can address the pressing issue of housing affordability and create inclusive urban environments where residents have access to quality housing.
This will improve living conditions, reduce housing inequalities and contribute towards the overall well-being, resilience and sustainability of cities in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
In conclusion, let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis together. Let us leverage these recommendations from the Urban Futures report and work collaboratively to develop and implement policies, strategies, and regulations that will pave the way for a better, more inclusive future.
Thank you for being here today and for your dedication to this vital cause. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable and adequate housing.
Thank you very much.
