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European charter for the right to housing
Reports European Charter for the Right to Housing This text has been drawn up by a group of European networks representing many different associations and organizations, all of which are involved in some way in the struggle against exclusion from housing. Although the Charter has originated in Europe it fills a universal need to promote the right to decent housing for all. The text needs to be widely publicized in order for groups around the world to reflect on how to promote housing.
European Charter for the Right to Housing and the Struggle Against Exclusion 1. We for all. merely dignity
promote the right to housing It is a fundamental right, not a right to shelter. It is a right to and citizenship.
2. We want Europe to become a community whose members stand together not just as a large, unified market. We do not accept that within a thriving Europe, certain parts of the population can be denied the right to housing. 3. We think that social exclusion demands comprehensive treatment. Exclusion from housing is caused by, and a result of, a wider economic, social and cultural exclusion. Therefore merely providing shelter is not sufficient. Exclusion must be dealt with at the roots and social re-insertion conceived as part of a wide process of which housing is only a part. 4. We are convinced that we cannot participate in the struggle against exclusion without the involvement of those who are excluded. We must help them become aware of their identity and allow them to and abilities, strengthen their social bonds and take an active part in seeking solutions to their problems.
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5. We feel that broad social programs which are divided into smaller sectorial assistance programs do not help address the problem of exclusion from housing. We denounce programs in which vulnerable individuals are asked to support solutions invented for them yet without consulting them. 6. We recognize that a free housing market excludes a significant part of the population from decent housing. Yet the construction of so-called social housing is not sufficient to effectively deal with the problem of exclusion. The administration of public funding, management attitudes and the ability to recognize the diversity of people’s needs and desires, and their capacity to take the initiative and be independent are as important as the amount of public aid allocated to house the disadvantaged. 7. We do not believe in all-embracing solutions, coming from on high, which do not take into account either the diversity of situations where exclusion exists nor geographical and cultural considerations. 8. Excluded people are condemned to silence. We are very much aware of the risk we take if we speak on their
behalf: we are therefore determined to promote an exchange of information and experiences between the excluded people themselves. 9. We think that the right of mobility and residence in Europe will in a way help to harmonise European housing policies. We want to make sure that the process takes into account the common experience we have in the struggle against exclusion. 10. We are convinced that there is also much to learn from the experiof non-European countries ence against exclusion, in particular that of Third World countries. 11. We also think that legislative, legal and financial policies are important but not sufficient in the struggle against exclusion. It is much more important to direct people’s mentalities, prejudices and know-how towards the struggle against exclusion and the promotion of new approaches in dealing with it.
Goals 1. Promote the right to housing in Europe and develop practices against exclusion which comply with our common convictions. 2. Become a reflection forum for comparisons and debate on the struggle against exclusion. Decide upon initiatives and publicize them. 3. Develop a decentralized system of exchanging experiences and mutual training. 4. Draw up, by taking experience into consideration, a platform of proposals to be publicized and presented to all relevant organizations. 5. Build up the capacity to assess public housing policies and submit proposals to EEC countries as well as to the new Eastern European countries.
CITIES
November
1992
European Charter for the Right to Housing and the Struggle Against Exclusion 1. We for all. merely dignity
promote the right to housing It is a fundamental right, not a right to shelter. It is a right to and citizenship.
2. We want Europe to become a community whose members stand together not just as a large, unified market. We do not accept that within a thriving Europe, certain parts of the population can be denied the right to housing. 3. We think that social exclusion demands comprehensive treatment. Exclusion from housing is caused by, and a result of, a wider economic, social and cultural exclusion. Therefore merely providing shelter is not sufficient. Exclusion must be dealt with at the roots and social re-insertion conceived as part of a wide process of which housing is only a part. 4. We are convinced that we cannot participate in the struggle against exclusion without the involvement of those who are excluded. We must help them become aware of their identity and allow them to and abilities, strengthen their social bonds and take an active part in seeking solutions to their problems.
310
5. We feel that broad social programs which are divided into smaller sectorial assistance programs do not help address the problem of exclusion from housing. We denounce programs in which vulnerable individuals are asked to support solutions invented for them yet without consulting them. 6. We recognize that a free housing market excludes a significant part of the population from decent housing. Yet the construction of so-called social housing is not sufficient to effectively deal with the problem of exclusion. The administration of public funding, management attitudes and the ability to recognize the diversity of people’s needs and desires, and their capacity to take the initiative and be independent are as important as the amount of public aid allocated to house the disadvantaged. 7. We do not believe in all-embracing solutions, coming from on high, which do not take into account either the diversity of situations where exclusion exists nor geographical and cultural considerations. 8. Excluded people are condemned to silence. We are very much aware of the risk we take if we speak on their
behalf: we are therefore determined to promote an exchange of information and experiences between the excluded people themselves. 9. We think that the right of mobility and residence in Europe will in a way help to harmonise European housing policies. We want to make sure that the process takes into account the common experience we have in the struggle against exclusion. 10. We are convinced that there is also much to learn from the experiof non-European countries ence against exclusion, in particular that of Third World countries. 11. We also think that legislative, legal and financial policies are important but not sufficient in the struggle against exclusion. It is much more important to direct people’s mentalities, prejudices and know-how towards the struggle against exclusion and the promotion of new approaches in dealing with it.
Goals 1. Promote the right to housing in Europe and develop practices against exclusion which comply with our common convictions. 2. Become a reflection forum for comparisons and debate on the struggle against exclusion. Decide upon initiatives and publicize them. 3. Develop a decentralized system of exchanging experiences and mutual training. 4. Draw up, by taking experience into consideration, a platform of proposals to be publicized and presented to all relevant organizations. 5. Build up the capacity to assess public housing policies and submit proposals to EEC countries as well as to the new Eastern European countries.
CITIES
November
1992