Habitat for Humanity International has rolled out a new global campaign aimed at drawing attention to a deepening housing crisis affecting billions of people, particularly across Africa, as urbanization outpaces supply and financing constraints persist.
The initiative, branded “Let’s Open the Door,” will run across more than 60 countries and combine grassroots activities, digital outreach and partnerships to elevate housing as a central driver of economic resilience and public health. The campaign comes as the nonprofit marks 50 years of operations.
Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Reckford said the effort seeks to mobilize broader participation from governments, businesses and individuals to address barriers to affordable and sustainable housing. “Everyone can play a part,” he said, pointing to the need for expanded access and scalable solutions.
The push highlights the scale of the global deficit: roughly one in three people lack access to adequate housing, according to the organization. The challenge is especially acute in Africa, where about 62% of urban homes are classified as informal, exposing residents to heightened climate and economic risks.
Rapid population growth in cities across the continent is widening the gap between demand and supply. Limited mortgage availability and regulatory bottlenecks continue to constrain formal housing development, while infrastructure struggles to keep pace with urban expansion.
Mathabo Makuta, the group’s Africa senior director for programs, said coordinated action across policy, finance and community engagement will be essential to reversing current trends. The campaign is designed to catalyze that alignment through public participation and advocacy.
In Kenya, where housing shortages remain among the most pronounced in the region, Eileen Mokaya said the focus will be on scaling locally driven solutions. The country faces persistent deficits as affordability constraints limit access to formal housing for a large share of the population.
The campaign will feature pop-up installations, construction initiatives and digital storytelling intended to demonstrate how improved housing conditions can influence health outcomes, education access and long-term wealth creation.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity says it has supported more than 62 million people globally through housing construction, financing innovations and policy advocacy. The latest campaign underscores a growing recognition among development organizations that housing is a foundational component of economic stability and social equity.
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