100 million people on the streets

Homelessness is blamed on urbanisation

By the BBC's Imogen Foulkes

An estimated 100 million people world-wide are homeless and their housing situation in general is growing worse says a UN report.

In the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN described access to adequate housing as essential, but, more than half a century later, the right to a secure home is by no means guaranteed.

The UN blames above all the rapid urbanisation of some developing countries, particularly in Africa and south-east Asia, for the continuing plight of the homeless.

It is believed that in these countries alone a further 600 million people live in overcrowded and poor quality housing with inadequate water and sanitation.

Most vulnerable

The UN estimated that between 30 and 70 million children are living on the streets.

The report says the situation of women is of special concern.

Conflicts and disasters make more people homeless

Women make up 70% of those living in absolute poverty, and the UN says in many countries discriminatory property and inheritance laws make women more likely to become homeless.

Rich countries too were affected by homelessness.

Up to 700,000 people in the United States live on the streets, and, in some parts of western Europe, 12 people in every 1,000 have no home.

The report will be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which meets in Geneva next month.