WORLD | UN Special Rapporteur on Housing provides Covid-10 Guidance Notes

With States across the world prescribing that people “stay home” and practice social distancing, it is now clear that housing has become the frontline defence against the coronavirus and home has rarely been more of a life or death situation. As the pandemic continues to spread, it is becoming increasingly clear that following these orders is only possible for the privileged.

In her letter to Permanent Missions, UN agencies, NHRIs and Civil Society Organizations (see further below), Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, underlines the importance of home and identifies many gaps which continue to exist for vulnerable groups. As her term ends, the Special Rapporteur has developed a series of short Covid-19 Guidance Notes in consultation with experts from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas:

• Protecting residents in informal settlements
• Protecting those living in homelessness
• Protecting renters and mortgage payers
• Prohibition of evictions
• Protecting housing from financialization and building back a better future

The collection of Covid-19 Guidance Notes is available further down below and can also be accessed on the Website of the OHCHR.

Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)