Housing as a Human Right

In the human rights framework, every right creates a corresponding duty on the part of the government to respect, protect, and fulfill the right.  In the U.S., we value the right to a fair trial in criminal proceedings, so for those who cannot afford one, the government pays for a lawyer.  Having the right to housing does not mean that the government must build a house for every person in America and give it to them free of charge. It does, however, allocate ultimate responsibility to the government for ensuring all people have access to adequate housing.

More information on housing as a human right is available in this fact sheet.

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