DC Right To Housing Campaign Statement of Principles

Housing is a basic human right, and the District of Columbia has declared itself a "Human Rights City."   Housing is fundamental to ensuring a just and inclusive community in the nation's capital. A safe, secure, and affordable home is necessary for all people to have equal access to health, employment, education and nutrition and for family preservation.  

            The Right to Housing means that

• each person has the right to live in adequate housing that is:

      1) affordable to that individual or family;

      2) accessible if a family member has a disability which requires it;

      3) safe and habitable for everyone regardless of their gender, race, age, sexual orientation or health conditions;

       4) located in an area that has appropriate infrastructure for a residential neighborhood and where the full cultural expression of the individual, family, and neighborhood are protected;

• each person who is homeless has immediate access to temporary housing and timely access to permanent housing;
  
• each person has the right to services and legal protections necessary to attain and retain adequate housing;

Finally, to fully implement the Right to Housing, the District must ensure that whenever possible, homelessness is prevented and affordable housing is preserved and developed.