Housing is fundamental to human security, well-being, and identity. Yet in times of conflict and crisis, whether due to war, forced displacement, or socio-political upheaval, homes and neighbourhoods are often destroyed, damaged, or transformed into sites of insecurity.

As part of our Autumn Lecture, we reflected on the devastating impact of conflict on housing, communities, and human lives. The Housing Studies Association is deeply saddened by the continued violence and humanitarian crises taking place in many parts of the world. We recognise the terrible and lasting impact that conflict and displacement have on people, communities, and societies, not least through the widespread destruction of homes, neighbourhoods, and housing systems. The loss and devastation of housing in the context of war and conflict have long-term consequences for individual and collective well-being, and for recovery and rebuilding. These are deeply relevant issues for those working in housing studies, and our thoughts are with all victims of conflict and displacement, including children, families, and those working tirelessly to provide humanitarian support. We also recognise that the impacts of war and violence reverberate far beyond the regions affected, including here in the UK, where many people have strong familial, emotional, or academic ties to these crises.

According to the United Nations, since February 2022 around 13% of Ukraine’s housing stock has been damaged or destroyed, affecting an estimated 2.5 million families. In Gaza, according to Doctors Without Borders, 92% of housing units have been destroyed or damaged after more than 15 months of conflict, leaving almost all families displaced. These losses illustrate the substantial human cost of war and displacement, and underline the urgent need for reflection, dialogue, and research.

As a learned society, we believe our role is to provide a forum for scholarly discussion of these sensitive and complex issues. We remain committed to our purpose of fostering the exchange and advancement of housing-related research, education, policy, and practice. Our responsibility is to create space for rigorous, evidence-informed engagement, to support dialogue across perspectives, and to contribute constructively to understanding the housing dimensions of conflict and displacement.

Building on the themes explored in our Autumn Lecture, we are therefore launching a blog series on Housing, Conflict and Displacement. 

Call for Contributions

Housing, Conflict and Displacement

We invite contributions from scholars, practitioners, policymakers, doctoral researchers, and housing professionals who wish to reflect on the housing dimensions of conflict and displacement.

We welcome pieces that engage thoughtfully with themes such as:

  • The destruction of housing and infrastructure in contexts of war
  • Domicide, urbicide, and the politics of housing destruction
  • Forced displacement and refugee settlement
  • Post-conflict reconstruction and housing justice
  • Legal and human rights dimensions of housing loss
  • Psychological and social consequences of displacement
  • Comparative or historical perspectives on housing and conflict
  • Methodological reflections on researching housing in conflict-affected contexts

Contributions should be grounded in research, scholarship, or professional expertise, and written in a spirit of respectful and critical engagement. The aim of this series is to foster dialogue, deepen understanding, and amplify housing-focused scholarship on issues that demand careful analysis.

Views expressed in blog posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Housing Studies Association.

Submission Details

  • Length: 800–1,200 words
  • Style: Accessible and evidence-informed
  • Referencing: Hyperlinks preferred
  • Include: Author name, affiliation, and short bio (50–75 words)

Please find our blog guidance here: https://www.housing-studies-association.org/articles/189-hsa-blog-guidance

Please submit proposals (150–200 words) or full drafts to [email protected] with the subject line: Blog Series – Housing, Conflict and Displacement

There is no deadline for proposals or submissions. 

As with all Housing Studies Association blog content, contributions are typically drawn from our membership. Colleagues who are not currently members but who wish to contribute are encouraged to contact us to discuss eligibility.

Through this series, the Housing Studies Association seeks to support rigorous scholarship, encourage thoughtful dialogue, and ensure that housing research continues to contribute meaningfully to understanding the human consequences of conflict.