Housing Rights

The right to Shelter and adequate housing is recognized as a basic Human Right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Under the Constitution of India, the preamble highlights the guarantee of Social Justice and the right to live with dignity. On different occasions, the Hon’ble Supreme Court as well as High Courts have emphasized the importance of adequate shelter. The right to Housing is not just a right to having something above one’s head. It includes access to a hygienic environment, access to drinking water, access to a peaceful atmosphere etc. It is pertinent to note that the house will play a critical role in the physical and cognitive development of an individual. Unsecured living conditions would hinder the growth of the individual and by extension the nation as a socialist democratic republic.

Even after 75 years of independence, a majority of Indians have no proper shelter as prescribed by most international standards. The situation in housing does not get better from urban to rural India either. On some occasions, in the name of infrastructural development, thousands of unauthorised colony dwellers or even otherwise, who have been living in a place for decades are forced to evict their premises without adequate rehabilitation.

In urban places, unaffordable rents for houses further result in the ghettoization of marginalised communities. Unplanned urbanization and a lack of rehabilitation policies have thrown several people onto the streets through overnight eviction drives. Often these demolition drives are carried out even more enthusiastically when there are private players with substantial economic interests involved rendering to a nullity any chance of adjudication in the issue.

Our foundation is already working to protect the housing rights of vulnerable individuals and those from the weaker socio-economic segment of society.