A
fundamental human right since 1948!
Adequate housing was recognized as a
human right in 1948, upon the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. It is a universal right, accepted and applicable throughout the world
as a fundamental human right.
Several international treaties affirm that
governments have the obligation to promote and protect this right. Today, there
are more than 12 UN instruments that recognize the right to housing. Despite
that, the implementation of the right to adequate housing is still a major
challenge.
More
than a roof and four walls!
The right to adequate housing is part of the
right to an adequate standard of living. It cannot be reduced to a roof and
four walls, but should be understood in broad terms as including the right of
every person to have access to a home and community, to enjoy physical and
mental health, and to live in safety, peace and dignity.
Adequate
housing includes:
• security of
tenure, without being afraid to be removed or to be subject to
undue or unexpected threads;
• access to public services and infrastructure, such as education,
health, leisure, transportation, electricity, potable water, adequate sewage
and garbage disposal systems
• access to environmental assets, such as land and water, and to a
balanced environment
• affordability,
with costs compatible with the income levels or housing with subsides
• good housing
conditions, with protection against cold weather, heat, rain,
wind, fire, flood, risks of collapse or other threats to health and life
• priority for
the needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children, the
elderly and persons with disabilities
• proper
location, with access to physicians and hospitals, schools, day
nursery and transport, in urban or rural areas
• use of materials, structures and
space in accordance with the inhabitant´s culture
