Since 2017, the Daughters of Charity, in conjunction with the Vincentian Family, have been strongly committed to the United Nations to give voice to homeless people, who are often invisible in public policies and absent from major international decisions.
This fight took on a historic dimension in 2020, when homelessness was recognized as a priority theme at the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD). It was a first! Thanks to collective advocacy, notably that of the Vincentian Family, the United Nations agreed to consider homelessness as a violation of human rights, and not simply as a consequence of poverty.
A spiritual and concrete fight. For us, Daughters of Charity, this plea is not simply political: it is spiritual, prophetic, and profoundly evangelical. It is rooted in St. Vincent’s call to “love God… but with our hands and our sweat.” Living and serving alongside the homeless means experiencing Christ’s presence in those who most of the time do not have “nowhere to lay their heads.” Our presence at the UN allows us to challenge governments, participate in housing working groups, and make the voices of local communities heard. This connection between the field and international bodies is a strength of the Vincentian charism today.
And today? A global emergency In 2025, homelessness is not declining. On the contrary, it is worsening due to:
• migrations forced by conflicts or climate,
• post-COVID economic crises,
• the rise of inequalities in large cities.
But in the face of these challenges, we continue to act. In many countries, the Daughters of Charity welcome, support, and accompany homeless people, while working for structural change.
At the UN, we advocate for:
• a global definition of homelessness, essential for developing effective policies;
• recognition of housing as a fundamental human right;
• the inclusion of homeless people in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 1 (end poverty) and SDG 11 (inclusive and sustainable cities).
A call to the entire Vincentian Family
Faced with this reality, the commitment of the entire Vincentian Family is more necessary than ever. Each community, each work, each local project can be part of this global dynamic: to serve, defend, and transform.
By committing ourselves to fighting homelessness, we make charity a true plea for human dignity, a living testimony to Christ’s love for the poorest.
“Love is infinitely inventive” – Saint Vincent de Paul
Let us continue together to invent paths of hope for those living in the absence of secure, permanent, and dignified housing, not only the absence of a roof.
Homelessness is not inevitable. It is an injustice that we can and must correct—through listening, action, solidarity, and advocacy.
Sister Michelle Loisel,DC
The Daughters of Charity’s work at the UN goes far beyond words: it is presence, attentive listening, and concrete action in defense of the most vulnerable. Would you like to see how this commitment unfolds into global initiatives, inspiring projects, and dialogue with international leaders? Visit the Daughters of Charity UN website and discover how charity becomes prophetic advocacy and active hope at the heart of the United Nations.
