Chapter III, Paragraph 9 of the [Habitat Agenda] contains the following commitment: "We reaffirm our commitment to the full and progressive realization of the right to adequate housing, as provided for in international instruments. In this context, we recognize an obligation by governments to enable people to obtain shelter and to protect and improve dwellings and neighbourhoods. We commit ourselves to the goal of improving living and working conditions on an equitable and sustainable basis, so that everyone will have adequate shelter that is healthy, safe, secure, accessible and affordable and that includes basic services, facilities and amenities, and will enjoy freedom from discrimination in housing and legal security of tenure. We shall implement and promote this objective in a manner fully consistent with human rights standards."
One of the barriers to achieving housing rights has been the absence of a universally-recognized definition of the entitlements comprising this norm. General Comment No 4 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights defines this right as comprised of a variety of specific concerns which under international law are legally vested in all persons: legal security of tenure, availability of service, materials and infrastructure, affordable housing, habitable housing, accessible housing, location, culturally adequate housing.
2. The full enjoyment of other rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, freedom of association (for tenants and other community-based groups), freedom to choose one's residence, and to participate in public decision-making, is indespensable if the the right to adequate housing is to be realized and maintained by all groups in society.