Strategic Advisor Housing Sector Assessment (Retainer)

United Nations Office for Project Services (HQ)

In this context, UN-Habitat seeks to undertake a comprehensive housing sector situational assessment, primarily based on an in-depth literature review and stakeholders interviews, to provide an updated and evidence-based understanding of the sector. As part of this process, the National Urban Policy (NUP), endorsed in July 2023 as a long-term strategic framework for sustainable urban development, will be selectively reviewed and updated to ensure that housing-related policy directions reflect current realities while maintaining its overarching vision.

• Develop a comprehensive situational assessment on the housing sector in Palestine, grounded in an extensive literature review and stakeholders interviews.

• Analyze the implications of recent war on Gaza and the escalations in the West Bank including East Jerusalem on the housing sector within a broader development context.

• Integrate housing sector priorities into the NUP in a way that supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development.

• Provide targeted and actionable recommendations to inform the development of the Housing policy for the State of Palestine.

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

3.1 Housing Sector Literature Review and Situational Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing studies policies, strategies, and assessments related to the housing sector in Palestine.

Housing Sector Situation Analysis

Analyze the implications of recent developments, including:

• The situation in Gaza (damage, displacement, and housing loss).

• Escalations in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and Area C (demolitions, displacement, access restrictions).

• Identify key gaps, structural challenges, and emerging trends in the housing sector.

Analyze gender and social inclusion trends in terms of:

• Differential access to housing for women, female-headed households, youth, persons with disabilities (PwDs), elderly, and IDPs/refugees

• Barriers related to ownership, inheritance, documentation, and tenure security

• Exposure to forced eviction, displacement, and secondary occupation

• Disparities between rural and urban areas in terms of housing affordability, access to land, availability of services, infrastructure, and connectivity to livelihoods and opportunities

• Specific constraints in Area C, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, including protection risks

Analyze environmental and climate dimensions of the housing sector, including:

• Housing exposure to climate and environmental risks (e.g. heat, water scarcity, environmental degradation) across different contexts (urban, rural and Area C)

• Opportunities for green and climate-responsive housing approaches, including energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and climate-adaptive design

• Mapping of existing practices, initiatives, and gaps related to green housing across different contexts (urban, rural, and Area C)

Develop a housing sector situational report, including:

• Housing supply and demand dynamics

• Affordability and access to housing, including disparities across different population groups and geographic contexts (urban, rural, and Area C)

• Land availability and tenure challenges, including gendered and social dimensions of ownership, inheritance, and documentation

• Institutional and regulatory frameworks, including their responsiveness to inclusion, equity, and environmental sustainability

• Role of public, private, and informal sectors

• including their responsiveness to inclusion, equity, and environmental sustainability

Contextual Review of the NUP

Review the existing NUP (2023 version) in light of the updated housing sector analysis.

Identify areas where current realities should be reflected in the policy narrative and priorities, ensuring that the NUP maintains its strategic, long-term positioning.

Stakeholder Consultations

Conduct interviews with key experts and stakeholders from relevant institutions (including, but not limited to, the Engineering Associations) and representatives the investors in the sector to identify the gaps and key priorities

Conduct structured consultations with relevant national institutions, (including but not limited to):

• Ministry of Planning and Finance

• Ministry of Public Works and Housing

• Ministry of Local Government

• Ministry of Social Development

3.4.3 Conduct a mapping with other development organizations working in the housing sector, highlighting their contributions and remaining gaps.

The consultations will aim at:

• Validating findings from the housing sector assessment

• Identifying policy priorities and institutional constraints

• Identifying existing initiatives and needs

• Strengthening alignment between housing sector needs and national strategies

3.4 Update of the National Urban Policy

Based on findings, the Consultant shall:

• Update relevant sections of the NUP, including:

• Context analysis

• Policy priorities related to housing and urban development

Ensure:

• Integration of current challenges into the policy framework

• Preservation of the long-term vision and strategic orientation of the NUP

Propose:

• Adjustments to relevant policy pillars where necessary

• Cross-cutting considerations (gender, youth, inclusion, climate resilience)

• Quick-win interventions to support the housing sector

• High-level recommendations for implementation (without duplicating existing recovery frameworks/p>