The Global Refugee Forum 2023, HLP side event

The side event on "Securing Housing, Land, and Property Rights from Emergency Response to Durable Solutions," held during the Global Refugee Forum, presented a tremendous opportunity for UN Member States and other actors to reflect on the strong human rights dimensions of secure access to housing and land for refugee and returnee men, women, and children. The focus was on creating sustainable pathways to durable solutions and long-term development outcomes. It was a key part of efforts aimed at inspiring renewed political will, resource mobilization, and additional in-kind support for addressing tenure-related challenges among forcibly displaced populations and their host communities.

Drawing on the experiences of key State and non-state actors, the event sought to reinforce the case for more predictable, equitable, and sustainable systems of response to the housing, land, and property challenges facing refugees, returnees, and their host communities.

Objectives of the event were:

• To highlight the depth, breadth, drivers, and consequences of insecure tenure on refugee and returnee populations and their host communities;

• To demonstrate how comprehensive strategies for securing rights in housing, land, and property are fostering resilient communities, enhancing capacity for voluntary return and sustainable reintegration, while establishing pathways to local integration; and

• To inspire renewed political interest at the national and subnational levels, earmarking resources through various financial instruments and technical assistance programs, and in-kind support to address the tenure-related challenges faced by forcibly displaced populations and their host communities.