23 May 1986

19th plenary meeting

Realization of the right to adequate housing

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 37/221 of 20 December 1982, in which the Assembly proclaimed the year 1987 International Year of Shelter for the Homeless,

Recalling further that the objective of activities before and during the Year is to improve the shelter and neighbourhoods of some of the poor and disadvantaged by the end of 1987, according to national priorities, and to demonstrate by the year 2000 ways and means of improving the shelter and neighbourhoods of the poor and disadvantaged,

Bearing in mind that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provide that all persons have the right to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate housing, and that States should take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of that right,

Noting that the objectives of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless are related to the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights set out in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that the Economic and Social Council could make an important contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the Year, taking into account the activities of the United Nations bodies and agencies in this field, notably the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), which was designated as the body responsible for organizing the Year,

Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1986/36 of 12 March 1986,

1. Reiterates the right of all persons to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate housing;

2. Expresses its deep concern that millions of people do not enjoy the right to housing;

3. Calls upon all Governments and all concerned institutions, both national and international, to intensify their efforts to help achieve the objectives and goals of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless;

4. Decides to consider the question of the realization of the right to adequate housing, as contained in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, at its first regular session of 1987, under the item entitled "Human rights".