Habitat Survey Finds Housing Costs Force Cuts to Food and Care

Habitat for Humanity International on Oct. 6, 2026 released Home at What Cost, surveying more than 30,000 people in 22 countries. Seventy-five percent cut at least one expense to afford housing, including 33 percent who spent less on food, 32 percent who used emergency savings, 31 percent who took extra work, and 13 percent who delayed or avoided medical care. Cuts hit 89 percent in informal housing, 85 percent among lower-income groups, and 81 percent among Gen Z and Millennials. Nearly half said one unexpected problem could threaten housing stability. Forty percent accept housing risk because safer options cost too much. Jonathan Reckford, Habitat's CEO, said a home should never come at the cost of health or future and that more than half believe their country's housing system is broken or not working for them. He urged governments, businesses and communities to work together so housing builds a future instead of mere survival. After August 26 flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, Elizabeth Satow said affordability is now a resilience issue and climate adaptation must be something ordinary households can afford. Kusum, now in a newly built home after years of disaster, said a house protects a person's life as a heartbeat keeps a person alive. Jenny Williams called Ireland results challenging, with nearly three-quarters cutting expenses.