The right to adequate housing

International human rights law recognises everyone’s right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing.

Adequate housing was recognized as part of the right to an adequate standard of living in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

This joint OHCHR/UN Habitat Fact Sheet is the second in a series of joint publications by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with other United Nations partners to focus on economic, social and cultural rights.

This Fact Sheet explains the right to adequate housing, what it means for individuals and groups and elaborates upon States’ related obligations.

Download a copy of this fact sheet here