Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global) and the UN-Habitat sign partnership to advance inclusive housing for persons with disabilities
Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global) Chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Tala Al Saud, The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a contribution agreement during the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, marking a key milestone in advancing inclusive and sustainable housing solutions. The agreement supports a pilot project in Tunisia aimed at improving access to adequate housing for persons with disabilities.
The agreement was signed during a high-level networking side-event titled “Housing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Mental Well-being for Sustainable and Inclusive Cities,” held as part of WUF13 engagements. The signing took place in the presence of HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies and UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab States, alongside UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach and UN-Habitat’s Regional Director for Arab States, Rania Hedeya. The session also brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including Aida Robbana, Head of the UN-Habitat Tunisia Office, Reem Mallawi, Executive Manager of Global Initiatives in Alwaleed philanthropies, among among other participants.
HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud
“Housing is a human right that defines dignity, independence, and full participation in society. Through this partnership with UN-Habitat, we are advancing practical solutions that place persons with disabilities at the center of housing policy and urban planning, demonstrating how inclusive design strengthens social cohesion and public well-being. This initiative reflects our belief at Alwaleed Philanthropies that investing in inclusive housing is an investment in resilient communities and a scalable approach that can inform national programmes, inspire broader regional adoption, and generate long-term sustainable impact aligned with the global agenda for inclusive cities,” said HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary-General of Alwaleed Philanthropies.
The agreement supports the implementation of a flagship project titled “Promoting sustainable and inclusive housing for persons with disabilities in the Arab region: a pilot project in Tunisia,” aimed at expanding access to adequate housing and strengthening social inclusion.
Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat Executive Director, said: “This partnership marks a tangible shift from commitments to implementation. In Tunisia, we are working with our national partners to demonstrate what inclusive housing looks like in practice, by adapting existing homes, influencing future developments, and embedding accessibility requirements into the way cities are planned and built. Our aim goes beyond improving living conditions for persons with disabilities; it is about showing that inclusive urban development is achievable, scalable, and fundamental to delivering on the promise of sustainable cities for all.”
The project will be implemented over two-years, with the objective of enhancing accessibility, inclusion, and quality of life for persons with disabilities through tailored housing solutions in Tunisia.
In a context where more than 500,000 people with disabilities face significant barriers in accessing adequate housing and urban services, the project responds to persistent gaps in inclusive urban planning and housing design. It will be implemented in pilot areas in Greater Tunis and Tataouine, supporting the adaptation of existing housing units as well as the integration of accessibility features into new social housing developments in coordination with national programmes.
In addition to infrastructure interventions, the project will include capacity-building activities targeting government institutions, urban practitioners, and persons with disabilities. A central component of the initiative is the design and adaptation of at least 100 housing units specifically tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities, integrating accessibility features and innovative solutions to enhance independence and well-being, and serving as a scalable model for inclusive housing in Tunisia.
Rania Hedaya, Regional Director for Arab States at UN-Habitat Said:
“Across the Arab region, access to adequate and inclusive housing remains a significant challenge for many communities, particularly persons with disabilities. This partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies enables us to address this challenge in a practical way. The pilot project in Tunisia provides an opportunity to test solutions grounded in real needs and to draw lessons that will inform our work with governments and partners across the region. Our goal is for accessibility to be embedded in housing programme design from the outset, rather than treated as an afterthought.”
Said Aïda Rbana, Head of the Tunisia Office at UN-Habitat:
“In Tunisia, we see every day how the lack of adapted housing limits the independence of persons with disabilities and their full participation in society. Through this partnership, we are working with national partners to pilot practical, scalable solutions that can be integrated into existing housing programmes, ensuring that accessibility becomes a standard, not an exception.”
