International Tenants’ Day 2026
Affordable, Stable and Secure Housing for Young People
The first Monday in October was established in 1986 as a global day for tenants. Ahead of each International Tenants’ Day, the International Union of Tenants (IUT) selects a theme that reflects one of the most pressing housing challenges of our time. This year, on October 5, we focus on Affordable, Stable and Secure Housing for Young People.
Across the world, young people are facing growing barriers to independent living. Rising rents, housing shortages, insecure rental contracts and increasing living costs make it difficult for many young tenants to establish themselves, pursue education and employment opportunities, or plan for the future. Housing insecurity among young people is not only a housing issue. It affects social inclusion, economic opportunity, health and democratic participation.
The challenges faced by young people are the result of broader pressures affecting housing systems worldwide. Financialisation, speculation, urbanisation, demographic change and insufficient public investment continue to undermine affordability and security for tenants. The right to housing is fundamental to human dignity and must be realised in practice for younger generations as well as for current tenants.
The International Union of Tenants calls on governments, institutions and housing providers to take decisive action to ensure that young people can access affordable and secure rental housing. This includes strengthening tenant protections, investing in affordable and social housing, addressing excessive housing costs and ensuring that young tenants have a meaningful voice in housing policy and tenant organisations. At the same time, addressing the housing needs of young people must not come at the expense of older generations. A fair housing system must guarantee affordability, stability and security throughout all stages of life.
Tenant participation is essential to achieving these goals. Young people must be empowered to take part in tenant organisations, housing decision-making and democratic processes at local, national and international levels. Strong tenant organisations are vital for ensuring that housing policies reflect the needs and experiences of all tenants.
On International Tenants’ Day, 5 October 2026, we stand together with tenants’ organisations around the world to demand housing systems that provide young people with a real opportunity to build independent and secure lives. Housing must be recognised and treated as a human right, not a commodity. By investing in affordable rental housing and strengthening tenant rights, we can create more inclusive, resilient and democratic societies for present and future generations.
Statement from IUT President Marie Linder
“Young people should not have to postpone their future because they cannot find an affordable home. Access to safe, stable and affordable housing is essential for education, work, family life and participation in society. On International Tenants’ Day, we call on governments to put housing justice at the centre of policy and ensure that every generation can enjoy the right to a secure home.”
Event suggestions include:
- Organise a discussion or debate either physical or online on how your city or community can act and contribute to a fairer deal for tenants.
- Organise a film screening either physical or online to bring people together in a common space and promote local creativity.
- Use this occasion to publicise, reward and demonstrate tangible improvements in tenant issues in your community.
- Engage a well-known person or local expert to support your event to bring positive attention to The International Tenants’ Day.
- Organise public information campaigns, use local actors, musicians, or poets to create awareness of the issues affecting your city or community.
- Approach local media to write articles, do radio or television pieces on the themes, or organise interviews or panels with policymakers, government officials, academics, journalists, other professionals, and tenant representatives.
- Essay writing or painting competitions can help create awareness of International Tenants’ Day in schools and colleges.
- Offer a university lecture or Master class on the theme of the International Tenants’ Day.
- Organise a picture exhibition.
- Launch reports and projects about the theme of the International Tenants’ Day.
- Organise video interviews with tenant champions.
- Organise a donation event to assist your city or community.
- Engage in a social media discussion focused on the theme of International Tenants’ Day.
- Promote and create a web page or a web banner on your website with information about the International Tenants’ Day.
- Promote International Tenants’ Day through social media.
About International Tenants’ Day
International Tenants’ Day originated in 1986 when the French tenant organisation CNL proposed a special world day for tenants. The board of the IUT agreed and decided on May 22, 1986, to designate the first Monday in October as International Tenants’ Day. The IUT announces a theme each year, but tenant organisations are of course free to choose their own topic/theme for this day.
The date chosen by the IUT Board was made with the background of the UN resolution taken in December 1985, by the UN General Assembly, to designate the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day
