UN-Habitat awards Scroll of Honour for housing projects in five nations

On October 5, 2026, UN-Habitat presented the Scroll of Honour to five initiatives for their work in providing adequate housing. The ceremony took place in Muscat, Oman, to mark World Habitat Day. These five projects offer different ways to meet the needs of diverse populations, showing how local housing solutions can be scaled up. One recipient, the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency in Pakistan, was recognized for its Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program. This initiative supported over 200,000 low-income families with interest-free loans, allowing them to build homes on their own land.

These awards reflect a growing global understanding that housing is a fundamental human right. UN-Habitat continues to advocate for homes that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable, using the Scroll of Honour to encourage governments to prioritize these goals. The 2026 winners highlight how community-led efforts can tackle complex problems through collaboration between officials, non-profits, and local residents. In Myanmar, Housing NOW built resilient bamboo homes for people displaced by conflict and natural disasters. Meanwhile, Aldeia do Espraiado – Tekoa Ara Hovy in Maricá, Brazil, became the first municipal Indigenous village in the country, providing traditional housing and services for 13 Guarani Mbyá families.

The impact of these projects extends into social and economic life. By securing a place to live, these initiatives help build the stability families need to thrive. When housing is safe and affordable, people are better positioned to focus on education and find steady work. Beyond the immediate local benefits, the recognition from UN-Habitat helps bring attention to how housing serves as a foundation for broader sustainable development goals around the world.

The success of these five programs points toward a continuing need for investment in housing. The Scroll of Honour acts as a model for other regions facing similar difficulties, suggesting that these methods can be adapted elsewhere. Moving forward, cooperation between different sectors will be necessary to expand these successful programs. These efforts contribute to the long-term work of building communities that are both inclusive and sustainable for everyone.