Patrick Breen
U.S. Adviser for the Third Committee
New York, New York
October 20, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Chair.
Housing is so much more than four walls and a roof. It provides the stability required for people to work, learn, play, and rest in safety and security. However, housing must also be affordable.
The United States is committed to increasing opportunities to access safe, affordable housing free from discrimination. The United States government is working tirelessly to increase the supply of affordable housing, as well as reduce rental costs.
We also know that the lack of affordable housing is the primary cause of homelessness, which affects communities worldwide, including approximately 1.5 million people who experience at least one episode of homelessness annually in the United States. This May, the Biden Administration released All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, which sets a bold but achievable goal to reduce homelessness by 25 percent by 2025.
Abroad, we are also mobilizing to provide shelter to those when disaster strikes. Last year, the United States provided more than $365 million to partners to support shelter activities in 32 countries experiencing humanitarian crises.
Let us work together to make progress towards SDG 11 and create an equitable system with equal housing opportunities for all.
Mr. Special Rapporteur, what are examples of successful strategies to accurately monitor the number and condition of people in homelessness situations?
I thank you.
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