What are some examples of housing justice? As you can see, other human rights – like the right to health, right to adequate work, right to freedom from discrimination – are deeply entrenched in the definition of housing justice. These seven factors give us a clear idea of what housing justice initiatives should include. Cultural aspects shouldn’t be threatened. That includes any activities involving development and modernization. #7 Cultural adequacyĬultural identity and housing diversity should be factored into construction, materials, and housing policies. Housing also can’t be built on or near polluted sites because of the health risks. #6 LocationĪ person’s home needs to give them access to things like job options, healthcare services, schools, and childcare whether they’re in an urban or rural environment. Housing laws and policies also need to fully account for special housing needs. The Committee states that “adequate housing must be accessible to those who are entitled to it.” The document specifically mentions that groups like children, people with disabilities, survivors of natural disasters, and other disadvantaged groups should get “some degree” of priority. #4 HabitabilityĪdequate housing needs to provide adequate space and safety from natural elements (cold, heat, rain, wind, etc), structural dangers, disease vectors (like stagnant water), and other health threats. Renters should also be protected from unreasonable rental costs and increases. The State needs to take steps to ensure housing-related costs stay in proportion with income levels and give subsidies to those who can’t pay for affordable housing. “Affordable” means housing costs can’t make it harder to get access to other basic needs. If someone only occasionally has safe drinking water, their housing can’t be considered adequate. These services must also be consistently available. #2 Availability of services, materials, facilities, and infrastructureĪn adequate living space must include certain facilities, like safe drinking water, energy for cooking, heating, lighting, sanitation, waste disposal, emergency services, and so on. “Legal security of tenure” means everyone must have legal protections against forced evictions, harassment, and other threats. Tenure includes things like rental accommodation, leases, and emergency housing. 4: The Right to Adequate Housing, the Committee lists seven things that must be accounted for: #1 Legal security of tenure It should be seen as “the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity.” What about the term “adequate?” What does it mean? In a copy of the CESCR General Comment No. The Committee went further in its definition, stating that the right to housing shouldn’t be narrowly defined as a commodity. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also adopted the right to adequate housing in 1991, where it was identified as “of central importance” for enjoying every other economic, social and cultural right. “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing (emphasis added) and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to adequate housing. Housing justice is based on the idea that housing is a human right. What’s the definition of housing justice? Initiatives like rent control, tenant organizing, public housing, fair housing laws, and inclusionary zoning help ensure housing justice. Housing justice is the idea that everyone deserves safe, affordable, and health-promoting housing regardless of race, income, gender, ethnicity, ability, and more. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of housing justice 101, including a thorough definition, examples of housing justice, and learning opportunities. Systemic inequalities like racial discrimination, income inequality, weak government policies, and more are the main causes, while people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, women, and refugees tend to face the most challenges. Millions of people lack housing justice, which is the right to safe, adequate, and equitable housing.
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