Research into the effectiveness of the right to housing concerns research into one of the most basic needs of human beings. For a lot of households, the cost of housing (together with food and water) is not only a considerable share of their budget expenditure, it is also their primary concern. This is especially the case with regard to people who have trouble making ends meet. Little is worse than running the risk of being evicted and, in a worst case scenario, having to live on the streets. But adequate housing is more than mere protection from the elements, more than a roof above one’s head. 

Not only can a subpar housing situation have a negative impact on a person’s health, it can also influence people’s performances (work, school) and be a burden on one’s social life. With regard to the latter one should not neglect how housing is part of our self-image and is an outward sign of status. For all these reasons, having a decent accommodation at one’s disposal is a fundamental necessity to be able to achieve one’s full potential as a human being. It is the epicentre of one’s personal, family and community life and is therefore the central setting that allows us to fully enjoy all other human rights.

In short, the impact of adequate housing on life in general is difficult to underestimate. Accordingly, most countries worldwide have acknowledged the need for at least a right to housing on paper, incorporating it into their Constitution or elsewhere. Since long, the international community has formally acknowledged its importance by incorporating housing into covenants and charters as a fundamental right too.

The foundations for the right to housing are laid down in law, but as with building a real house, foundations alone do not suffice. It is one thing to acknowledge the importance of housing as an international community or as a national government, it is a different and much more difficult thing to make adequate housing a reality for everyone. This research looks into a selection of stumbling blocks, essential concepts and legal options that have or may have an impact on the realization of this fundamental right.