Experts call for a national right to housing
A national, enforceable right to housing could help solve the housing crisis and provide safety, dignity and security to every person in Australia, according to a new report by the Human Rights Law Centre and UTS Faculty of Law, and launched today with the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS).
The Right To Housing In Australia report shows that a right to housing enshrined through an Australian Human Rights Act, would make housing fairer, safer and more affordable by protecting people from forced evictions, and improving housing policies for every person in Australia. More than 50 countries protect a right to housing, including Canada and France.
In Australia, state and territory Human Rights Acts have helped some of the many people facing housing insecurity. These include a person with a disability who successfully stopped the attempted sale of their home without their consent, and a family violence survivor facing eviction from their social housing due to actions of their former partner. Many others need these protective tools too.
Figures released by the Productivity Commission last month show that the number of Australians experiencing long-term homelessness has surged almost 25% in just five years, reinforcing the need for urgent action.
Caitlin Reiger, CEO at the Human Rights Law Centre said:
“Everyone should have a safe, secure and healthy place to call home, no matter their postcode or bank balance. But the housing crisis is leaving too many people in Australia behind.
“A right to housing, enshrined in an Australian Human Rights Act, is a crucial step in tackling the housing crisis and encouraging government action to make housing more affordable, safer and accessible for every person in Australia.”
Professor Jessie Hohmann, UTS Faculty of Law and report author said:
"Enshrining a human right to housing puts people at the centre of housing policy. This new report shows how a right to housing, through an Australian Human Rights Act, would give governments a concrete pathway to enact more just and equitable housing policies and empower people to hold governments to account.”
Cassandra Goldie, CEO at the Australian Council of Social Services said:
"Secure, adequate housing is essential, but investor profit has been prioritised at the expense of people’s right to a home. Unfair tax breaks are driving up housing costs and pushing more people into housing stress, while underinvestment in social housing is forcing too many people into homelessness.
“In a country as wealthy as ours, it is unacceptable that millions are struggling to keep a roof over their head and afford the essentials. An Australian Human Rights Act would place a right to adequate housing at the centre of government policy and help ensure governments deliver on their responsibility to ensure secure, healthy homes for all.”
The Right To Housing In Australia report will be launched at the University of Technology Sydney tonight.
Media contact:
Chandi Bates
Media and Communications Manager
Human Rights Law Centre
0430 277 254
chandi.bates@hrlc.org.au