Report of the Special Rapporteur on Financialization of Housing
United Nations
Download Document| Date Published | 2017 |
| Version | |
| Primary Author | United Nations |
| Other Authors | |
| Theme | Regulation and Supervision of Housing Finance Systems |
| Country |
Abstract
The report focuses on the "financialization of housing" and its impact on human rights. It examines structural changes that have occurred in recent years whereby massive amounts of global capital have been invested in housing as a commodity, as security for financial instruments that are traded on global markets, and as a means of accumulating wealth. The report assesses the effect of those historic changes on the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing and outlines an appropriate human rights framework for States to address them. The report reviews the role of domestic and international law in that sphere, and considers the application of principles of business and human rights. The report concludes with a review of States' policy responses to the financialization of housing and some recommendations for more coherent and effective strategies to ensure that the actions of global financial institutions and actors are consistent with ensuring access to housing for all by 2030. The Special Rapporteur suggest that, as a way forward, States must redefine their relationship with private investors and international financial institutions, and reform the governance of financial markets so that, rather than treating housing as a commodity valued primarily as an asset for the accumulation of wealth they reclaim housing as a social good, and thus ensure the human right to a place to live in security and dignity.