The 2026 World Habitat Awards are now open for entries! World Habitat, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, is looking for the world’s best housing solutions.

Eligible for entry are projects from around the world that focus on affordable and adequate housing, that are in progress or have been completed in the last ten years and project that have been designed and/or delivered in close collaboration with the residents/local community.

Two winners of the 2026 World Habitat Awards will receive a Gold Award and £10,000. Trophies will also be presented to the Gold Award winning projects and travel and accommodation costs are met for one representative of each project to attend the awards ceremony.

Housing projects and approaches are sought that:

• focus on affordable and adequate housing;
• have taken action to address the climate emergency;
• are in progress or have been completed in the last ten years;
• are taking steps to promote diversity, equality and inclusion; and
• have been designed and/or delivered in close collaboration with the residents/local community

All entries are assessed and selected projects are shortlisted by an assessment committee. These shortlisted projects are then evaluated by an independent advisory group.

The World Habitat Awards competition has been run by World Habitat in partnership with UN-Habitat since 1986. For 39 years the World Habitat Awards have celebrated, championed, and helped communities develop new innovations, ideas and advances that improve the lives of people on low incomes.

Since 1986, there have been more than 360 finalists from more than 90 countries, with entries from every type of organisation working in the field of housing.

No Entry Fee!

It’s free to enter.