A/HRC/54/30 protection is common in all regions of the world. 80 It is particularly encouraging that an increasing number of public and private shelters have started paying attention to the vulnerabilities surrounding contemporary forms of slavery among persons experiencing homelessness. In Houston, Texas, United States, for example, shelters run by the Coalition for the Homeless carefully screen for indications of contemporary forms of slavery and provide additional services in cooperation with the local authorities. 81 Similar arrangements exist in the United Kingdom, with the participation of civil society organizations, such as Women’s Aid, Bawso and Hestia, and in the Americas, through the work of Covenant House.82 50. However, persons experiencing homelessness must be able to gain access to longterm affordable housing, which provides not only safety and security, but also a sense of belonging to their family and community, in order to promote their successful social and economic integration. This has been promoted by a large number of States. The “housing first” initiative is a good example. Originally launched in New York by the charity Pathways to Housing, 83 this initiative prioritizes the provision of permanent housing to persons experiencing homelessness and has been adopted in various regions of the world.84 As an example, Finland launched a national programme to end long-term homelessness, in 2008, which increased the amount of long-term housing, leading to a reduction in homelessness to a great extent.85 51. Many States have also been promoting access to affordable housing to those who are vulnerable to homelessness. Australia has allocated $A 1.6 billion to states and territories to improve access to affordable housing where priority consideration is given to women affected by domestic violence, children and young people, indigenous peoples and older persons. 86 In various cities in Germany, Italy, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, empty buildings and offices have been transformed into affordable housing for refugees and asylum-seekers with close cooperation from civil society organizations, private property owners and businesses. 87 In India, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana programme has been providing affordable housing to women as a form of empowerment. Furthermore, Norway has a specific housing policy on formerly incarcerated individuals,88 who are also vulnerable to homelessness. 52. In addition, several States have taken steps to prevent evictions. Domestic law in Denmark prohibits eviction in cases where children or persons with disabilities are in households, and Austria and Hungary prevent property owners from evicting people during the winter months.89 In some States, a prohibition of arbitrary eviction is provided for in constitutions.90 It is also worth highlighting that Argentina, Colombia, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States specifically prevented evictions or provided rental 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 12 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “Policy brief on affordable housing: better data and policies to fight homelessness in the OECD” (2020). Submission from the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence and the Baylor College of Medicine–Harris Health. Crisis and Against Violence and Abuse, “Interim report”; and see https://www.covenanthouse.org/latinamerica. See https://www.pathwayshousingfirst.org/. Submission from the Government of Israel; and OECD, “National strategies for combating homelessness” report on indicator HC3.2 (2021). OECD, “Policy brief on affordable housing”. National Housing and Homeless Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the States and Territories of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory (2018). Submission from the Cepaim Foundation; and Economic Commission for Europe, “Housing for migrants and refugees”. Ministry of Local Government and Modernization of Norway, National strategy for social housing policy, 2021–2024. Esztar Zólyomi et al., “Mapping trends”. Constitution of Fiji of 2013, section 39; Constitution of Nepal of 2015, article 37; Constitution of the Philippines of 1987, section 10; and Constitution of South Africa of 1996, section 26. GE.23-12640