There is a need to re-examine current processes and policies to enable short-term and long-term solutions to informal urban housing in African cities. By considering this, in this issue of Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems (IGLUS) Quarterly having four unique articles, we will discuss the growing concern of providing equitable and accessible options for youth housing by also reviewing the current approaches, best practices and case studies currently being utilized with a focus in African cities within the urban realm