Is housing commoditized?
Housing is a commodity, and pension funds and financial institutions are increasingly investing in it to increase their profits, Farha said. Here housing is a place to park and grow that capital for shareholders.
Is housing a human right or a privilege?
The United Nations identifies adequate housing as a fundamental human right, defining it as “the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity.” It further clarifies these rights to include security of tenure, adequate conditions, protection against forced evictions and access to affordable housing, according …
Is housing a right in America?
In 1948, the United States signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), recognizing adequate housing as a component of the human right to an adequate standard of living. Both recognize the right to be free from discrimination, including in housing, on the basis of race, gender, disability, and other status.
Is housing a human right in Canada?
Canada has recognized that adequate housing is a fundamental human right by ratifying the ICESCR and has agreed to take appropriate steps towards realizing the rights set out in it.
What does it mean that housing is a commodity?
Housing has been financialized: valued as a commodity rather than a human dwelling, it is now a means to secure and accumulate wealth rather than a place to live in dignity, to raise a family and thrive within a community. Housing has become security for financial instruments – traded and sold on global markets.
Is property considered a commodity?
Property is linked to human identity and it is a commodity. The Pinheiro Principles are embedded in a view of property that is bundled with the identity of the individual and of the community.
What qualifies as a commodity?
A commodity is a basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodities are most often used as inputs in the production of other goods or services. When they are traded on an exchange, commodities must also meet specified minimum standards, also known as a basis grade.
Should housing be a fundamental human right in Canada?
As part of its ambitious national housing strategy, the Liberal government is vowing to enshrine the right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right in Canadian law, a symbolic move that could have practical considerations.
What is the right to housing?
The Right to Housing Adequate housing, as defined under international law, is “the right of every woman, man, youth and child to gain and sustain a safe and secure home and community in which to live in peace and dignity.” This right is so much more than simply four walls and a roof over your head.
Is the right to adequate housing protected by international law?
However, Canada has signed on and ratified several international human rights treaties that protect the right to adequate housing (see examples above). This means that there is not a direct manner of enforcing the right to adequate housing under international human rights law in the Canadian domestic court system.
Who is responsible for International Housing Rights in Canada?
The federal and provincial/territorial governments are all responsible for upholding international housing rights in Canada.