The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is issuing a stark warning: the global housing crisis is escalating, driven by rapid urbanization and sluggish policy responses.

• The crisis is worsening despite policy gains, according to UN-Habitat.
• Key factors contributing to the deepening crisis include intensified urbanization and slow policy implementation.
• Changing macro-economic conditions, such as fuel-driven inflation, are also exacerbating the problem.