Article 19 – Housing
1. The Signatory recognizes the right to housing, and affirms that access to good quality housing represents one of the most essential human needs, vital to the well-being of the individual and his or her family.
2. The Signatory recognizes further that women and men often have specific and distinct needs in relation to housing which must be taken fully into account, including the fact that:
a) On average, women have less income and resources than men, and therefore require housing that is affordable for them;
b) Women are the head of household in most single parent families, with consequent needs for access to social housing;
c) Vulnerable men are often over-represented amongst the homeless.
3. The Signatory therefore commits itself, as appropriate:
a) To provide or promote access to housing of an adequate size and standard and with a decent living environment for all, and accessible to essential services;
b) (To take steps to prevent homelessness, and in particular to provide assistance to the homeless, based on criteria of need, vulnerability and nondiscrimination;
c) To assist, according to their powers, in making the price of housing accessible to those without adequate resources.
4. The Signatory also undertakes to ensure or to promote the equal right of women and men to be the tenant, owner, or other form of property-holder, of their home, and also, to that end, to use its powers or influence to ensure that women have equal access to mortgages and other forms of financial assistance and credit for housing purposes.
