Within its mandate areas, the activities of HPDS have a particular focus on the needs of the poor and other vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including people with special needs. Activities seek to promote participatory approaches that can involve and mobilize the aspirations and capacities of these groups.

Work is undertaken in support of the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure -- which is one of the main instruments of UN-HABITAT contributing to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda -- and is organized around three focus areas:

• Housing policies and programmes;
• Housing rights; and
• Building materials and construction technologies.