New Delhi: As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway across North America, several host cities are facing growing pressure to address homelessness, with local governments accelerating housing initiatives ahead of the global sporting spectacle.
Cities including Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle have launched programmes aimed at reducing street homelessness and expanding access to housing. Officials say the tournament has provided an opportunity to focus attention and resources on a long-standing social challenge.
In Atlanta, the Downtown Rising initiative has helped move hundreds of people into permanent housing as part of a broader effort supported by public and private funding. Similar measures in Dallas have reportedly led to a sharp decline in the number of people sleeping on downtown streets, while Seattle has expanded shelter capacity through new tiny-home communities.
Housing advocates, however, caution that lasting solutions require more than short-term actions designed to improve a city’s image during a major international event. They argue that investments should prioritise stable housing, mental health support and social services rather than temporary relocations or increased enforcement.
“Major events can become a turning point if cities focus on long-term housing solutions rather than simply moving people out of sight,” advocates have stressed.
For many individuals who have secured housing through these programmes, the impact has been life-changing. Formerly unhoused residents have described the stability and dignity of having a permanent home after years spent in shelters, encampments and temporary accommodation.
Despite these successes, criticism has emerged in some host cities, where residents and advocacy groups claim that increased security measures and encampment clearances are aimed more at presenting a cleaner image to visiting fans than addressing the root causes of homelessness.
The debate highlights a broader challenge facing World Cup host cities: balancing preparations for one of the world’s biggest sporting events while ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from meaningful, long-term support rather than temporary fixes.
