Housing as a human right and the role of philanthropy

Australia does not have a national Human Rights Act, yet Australia has committed to international law including the right to adequate housing. This right is currently not well defined or protected. Beyond the right to adequate housing, several other rights can be affected when people don’t have safe and secure housing such as the right to education, employment, health and even the right to life. The lack of affordable housing may breach our human rights, but does this right require the government to provide us with housing? 

A human rights framework could improve many aspects of our housing system. From rental laws that make homes healthier, to providing emergency accommodation to rough sleepers, and even requiring more social housing. A human rights framework could help us move beyond the notion of tenure types and related policies. Rather than the potential to increase wealth, people and community would be at the centre on how we thought about housing in Australia. 

Join us for an overview of housing as a human right and how philanthropy can help realise this right in Australia. Hear how Australia’s international obligations have been used to try and create a robust national housing and homelessness plan. Understand how a rights-based approach to housing operates in the UK. Learn how funders are already using housing as human rights in their own work.

Intended audience: This event is for Philanthropy Australia Affordable Housing Funders Network members only. We welcome other funder members at the New Gen, Active, Engaged or Impact membership tier.

Register here