Proposed Res. No. 1240-A
Resolution calling upon the United States Senate to approve, and the President to ratify, the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, to ensure that housing is recognized as a human right.
By Council Members Rosenthal and Chin
Whereas, Housing, without discrimination and including protection from eviction, is essential for a standard of living that includes shelter, security, health and well-being; and
Whereas, In 2018, a New York Times investigative report entitled “Unsheltered” described how New York City has been in varying levels of a housing crisis for a century; and
Whereas, In 2019, a report published by the Coalition for the Homeless entitled “The Tale of Two Housing Markets,” reported that the homelessness crisis in New York City remains unabated despite Mayor de Blasio’s efforts and assertions that housing would be a top priority for his administration; and
Whereas, According to the Department of Homeless Services, in 2019, nearly 60,000 individuals were using shelters daily as a means for housing in New York City; and
Whereas, Advocates from various public interest community and housing organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have called on New York City and State to support families, neighborhoods, and communities by increasing investments in affordable housing; and
Whereas, Article 25 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) declares housing to be a human right; and
Whereas, On December 16, 1966, the United Nations headquarters in New York City hosted an international conference to establish a multilateral treaty guaranteeing the rights enshrined in the UDHR, resulting in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); and
Whereas, According to the International Justice Resource Center, individuals cannot claim the legal protections of the ICESCR unless the treaty has been ratified by their respective government; and
Whereas, According to the United Nations Treaty Collection, 170 countries across the world have ratified the ICESCR, with the United States being a notable hold out; and
Whereas, All human rights are universal and to ensure that housing rights are secured for individuals struggling with income inequality, housing discrimination, and lack of access to affordable housing, the United States should take steps to follow the actions of the international community by implementing the ICESCR; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Senate to approve, and the President to ratify, the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, to ensure that housing is recognized as a human right.
LS #13250
02/14/2020
AH