UN General Assembly
1987

The year 1987 has been designated as the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. It is also the year during which the world's population will exceed the 5 billion mark. By the end of this century there is likely to be an additional billion people. The drastic reduction in death rates owing to advancements in medical science and technology, is something to be pleased about; but it is also a great cause for concern, because millions of people still live without the basic necessities of life - food, shelter and good clean water.