Most of UN-HABITAT’s income was in the form of voluntary contributions from governments and inter-governmental donors. other partners, like local authorities, the private sector, multi-lateral organizations and other united nations bodies provided funding for specific programmes.

UN-HABITAT’s main sources of funding are:

• Regular Budget allocations approved by the United Nations General Assembly came from core funding by Member States.
• General Purpose contributions towards the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation (Foundation). These non-earmarked voluntary contributions from Governments were allocated according to priorities agreed by the UNHABITAT Governing Council.
• Special Purpose contributions earmarked voluntary contributions from Governments and other donors for the implementation of specific activities included in the approved work programme

The contributions are used for specific projects, or the money goes towards the Foundation for normative work. In 2008, UN-HABITAT received General Purpose contributions amounting to US$20 million and special purpose funding of US$134.2 million. Of the Special Purpose funds received US$45.5 million was for Foundation activities and US$88.7 for Technical Cooperation activities.