A/78/192
Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a
component of the right to an adequate standard of living,
and on the right to non-discrimination in this context,
Balakrishnan Rajagopal
A place to live in dignity for all: make housing affordable
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a
component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to
non-discrimination in this context addresses the global crisis of housing affordability,
a concept that has long been recognized as a core element of the right to adequate
housing under international law. With the present report, the Special Rapporteur aims
to launch a clarion call to counteract and prevent the adverse repercussions of
escalating housing unaffordability trends, exacerbated in recent years by intersecting
economic, ecological, social and political crises. Elaborating on the meaning of
housing affordability by tracing it to sources in international human rights law, the
Special Rapporteur distinguishes between State obligations to respect, protect and
fulfil housing affordability. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that measuring
housing affordability is pivotal for monitoring progress and devising responses to
ensure accessible housing for all, and elaborates on options for indicators,
highlighting the importance of involving communities, decisi on makers and
professionals in indicator selection. Stressing the ripple effect of housing affordability
for the enjoyment of other human rights, in particular for vulnerable groups, the
Special Rapporteur discusses various policy responses to housing affo rdability,
highlighting that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that States need to
determine what options are most suited to their unique circumstances. The Special
Rapporteur concludes with recommendations grouped into three categories: strategie s
for averting affordability crises, strategies for safeguarding against human rights
violations stemming from housing unaffordability, and strategies for addressing the
repercussions of housing unaffordability.
2/23
23-15758