Shelter
Shelter
Key Concepts and Features of the Legal System
* The right to shelter
Article 25 in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948 states that ‘Everyone has a right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself…. Including… shelter…’
- Right to shelter is a social right considered to be ‘second generation rights’ and is also contained in the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 1966.
- Australia is a signatory to both of the above acts however, in Australia there is NO ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO SHELTER.
Political statements on Housing Policy * Governments and political parties in Australia are committed to ensuring that all people in Australia have adequate housing. * Housing identified as a basic necessity * Both liberal and Labor parties believe in assisting people on housing in the same ways: * Management of the economy so that housing is affordable * Provision of rental assistance to low income earners * Provision of financial assistance to first home buyers. * Labor party more committed to public housing as seen in their 2000 national platform. Liberal party focuses on private ownership. * Despite political commitments there are many issues in relation to the ADEQUATE PROVISION OF and ACCESS TO adequate housing in Australia e.g. poor and disadvantaged and homelessness are both major social issues.
Housing for the Poor and Disadvantaged
- Homelessness is significant in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in 2001 found that 99 990 people are homeless however, the total is likely to be greater. * Australian government considers provision of housing an individual responsibility BUT they do assist the disadvantaged. * COMMONWEALTH STATE HOUSING AGREEMENT * The Federal Government provides funding to states for public housing. (after WW11, 1945) * NOTE: Funding reduced by
Key Concepts and Features of the Legal System
* The right to shelter
Article 25 in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948 states that ‘Everyone has a right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself…. Including… shelter…’
- Right to shelter is a social right considered to be ‘second generation rights’ and is also contained in the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 1966.
- Australia is a signatory to both of the above acts however, in Australia there is NO ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO SHELTER.
Political statements on Housing Policy * Governments and political parties in Australia are committed to ensuring that all people in Australia have adequate housing. * Housing identified as a basic necessity * Both liberal and Labor parties believe in assisting people on housing in the same ways: * Management of the economy so that housing is affordable * Provision of rental assistance to low income earners * Provision of financial assistance to first home buyers. * Labor party more committed to public housing as seen in their 2000 national platform. Liberal party focuses on private ownership. * Despite political commitments there are many issues in relation to the ADEQUATE PROVISION OF and ACCESS TO adequate housing in Australia e.g. poor and disadvantaged and homelessness are both major social issues.
Housing for the Poor and Disadvantaged
- Homelessness is significant in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in 2001 found that 99 990 people are homeless however, the total is likely to be greater. * Australian government considers provision of housing an individual responsibility BUT they do assist the disadvantaged. * COMMONWEALTH STATE HOUSING AGREEMENT * The Federal Government provides funding to states for public housing. (after WW11, 1945) * NOTE: Funding reduced by