The right to housing in practice


Learn about concrete initiatives of governments, organisations of the civil society and of citizens themselves that implemented the right to housing. Here you find examples of initiatives in the legal area, as well as housing projects, policies and programs that, in practice, concretised this right. If you know of other examples, share them in this space. For that purpose, contact the Rapporteur, sending information for publication in this section.

Landmark legislation to end homelessness comes into force in Scotland

In November 2012, the Parliament of Scotland adopted the Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012, and the law came into force on 31 December. The legislation aims to effectively end homelessness by entitling all people facing homelessness unintentionally a right to settled accommodation.

Federal Court Victory for Homeless Advocates in the US

In a ruling issued earlier today in Washington, D.C., a federal court denied the Obama Administration’s motion to set aside a 1993 court order against the federal government requiring compliance with Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a law that gives homeless services providers access to unused federal properties for free.

Homeless at Lakewood’s Tent City will be offered indoor housing instead of evicted

An encampment of homeless people in the woods near the Jersey shore will gradually be phased out as its 80 or so occupants are given at least a year of housing under an agreement reached today. The deal would eliminate the need for Lakewood’s so-called Tent City and end a seven-year dispute about local governments’ responsibility to care for the poor.

Restituting the land to the Endorois People: a 40-year process

In November 2012, members of the Adjudication Working Group at ESCR-Net facilitated a strategic meeting with leaders of the Endorois community in Kenya, focused on advancing full implementation of the unprecedented recommendations issued by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights regarding the evictions. The meeting brought together human rights lawyers, activists, and academics from Kenya, South Africa and the US with expertise on enforcement of court decisions.

Hungarian Constitutional Court struck down on the criminalization of homelessness

November 13, 2012 We are very happy to announce that the Hungarian Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court, has confirmed what The City is for All has represented for years: “The mere fact that someone lives in public space does not infringe on other people’s rights, does not cause damage and does not endanger the […]

Learning From Urban Transitional Settlement Response in the Philippines: Housing, Land and Property Issues

This publication documents CRS’ experience in implementing an urban transitional settlement program following Tropical Storm “Washi” in Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines. Click here to read it.