Homelessness / Displacement is an issue that must be addressed as it is integral in achieving the 2030 agenda.
Family Homelessness, Displacement and Trauma
Significant to both the Global North and the Global South, progress in achieving the eradication of these underpin and can hinder the success and achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also an issue of growing importance at the United Nations. In early 2020, for the first time in the history of the United Nations, at the 58th Commission for Social Development, Homelessness will be discussed as part of the priority theme “Affordable Housing and Social Protection Systems for all to Address Homelessness”.
Advocating specifically for Women and Children/ Girls at the international level, UNANIMA International has recently undertaken a significant Research Project into Family Homelessness and Trauma. UNANIMA International’s Research is among the first of its kind in this thematic area to happen at the international level. Working with our major partners, Sophia Housing, Dublin and New York University (NYU), as well as various smaller partners and contributors, UNANIMA International is collecting qualitative and quantitative data that will be used to further advocate for people experiencing Homelessness and Displacement.
It is hoped that this research and advocacy will promote a paradigm shift where Homelessness and Displacement are seen not as a personal failure but rather the structural failure and Human Rights violation that they are.
As advocates for individuals and families experiencing Homelessness and Displacement, UNANIMA International is trying to bring the voices of women and children from around the world to the global stage.
Following the mantra “Don’t talk about us, without us” UNANIMA International has the opportunity to act as a bridge that enables people experiencing these issues at the local level to be heard by those who have a say at the International and National level. In order to achieve this, we are working with our grassroots members and partners globally to bring 1,000 voices to the UN.
As well as individuals with a lived experience we hope to collate inputs from people working as service providers, in policy, and gather the experiences and perceptions of the issues from the wider community. UNANIMA International is also a founding member of the Working Group to End Homelessness.
UN Resolutions on Homelessness
2021
The resolution approved Dec. 16 urges U.N.-member states to eliminate all forms of discrimination against those experiencing homelessness and to decriminalize homelessness. It also notes the need to recognize the context of homelessness in the ongoing global pandemic.
The approval came after the U.N’s Third Committee — a group that approves preliminary resolutions before they go to the General Assembly — approved the measure Nov. 19. Jean Quinn, UNANIMA International’s Executive Director, worked on this resolution with Member States. Read the resolution here
2020
On February 19, 2020, at the 58th session of the UN Commission for Social Development, the historic first UN ECOSOC Resolution on homelessness was passed. Read the resolution here
To read a United Nations article about the 2020 Resolution click here
To read a ‘Homelessness and Human Rights’ report by the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing click here
