"The resources, public and private, devoted by the U.S. are not sufficient to ensure the right to housing for all Americans in the shortest amount of time, contrary to its obligations under the Charter and the Declaration. Despite the enactment of the Housing Act of 1949, which declared as a primary goal to provide, "a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family," the U.S. has not put in place measures to actually implement this goal and to meet its obligation; nor has it allocated public funding, nor required the allocation of private funding, sufficient to meet this obligation. Instead, the U.S. has retreated from its commitment and cut the funding allocated to housing for the poor, and now proposes further cuts. The growth and persistence of homelessness in the past two decades, and the inadequacy of the response to the needs of this most vulnerable population, are testament to these failures. Further, the prevalence of inadequate housing, due to overcrowding or substandard physical conditions, particularly for low-income people, violates the right to adequate housing." - Testimony Excerpt from Maria Foscarinis, Executive Director of NLCHP |
Rally outside the Organization of American States
On March 4, 2005, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission held a thematic hearing on adequate housing for the United States, Canada and Brazil. Maria Foscarinis, Executive Director of NLCHP, was one of the individuals to testify before the Commission on the United States' failure to ensure the right to housing. The day was celebrated as a historic victory for those who have been struggling for a right to adequate housing in their respective countries. The outcome of the hearing is still evolving. It is hoped that a specific case on adequate housing will be filed before the commission in the future. Regardless, for those suffering from inadequate or a complete lack of housing the testimonies aired what has been their personal struggle for security and dignity. It was an empowering and unifying process that legitimized the efforts of those involved and encouraged future commitment and collaboration.
TESTIMONY
Testimony of Maria Foscarinis, Esq. Executive Director, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
Testimony of Bruce Porter, Director, Social Rights Advocacy Centre, on Behalf of the Centre for Equality Rights in Accomodation, The Charter Committee on Poverty Issues and the National Anti-Poverty Organization.
Testimony of Tara Melish, Human Rights Attorney and Counsel to the Poor Peoples' Economic Human Rights Campaig
The following witnesses and attendees were present at the hearing:
Maria Foscarinis, Esq., Executive Director
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
Tulin Ozdeger, Civil Rights Staff Attorney
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
Jennie Green, Attorney
Center for Constitutional Rights
Maria LaHood, Attorney
Center for Constitutional Rights
Carol Steele, President,
Coalition to Protect Public Housing
Deidre Brewster, Community Organizer
Cabrini-Green/Coalition to Protect Public Housing
James Pfluecke, Organizer
Coalition to Protect Public Housing
Noah Samuel Leavitt, Advocacy Director
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
Laurene M. Heybach, Director
Law Project - Chicago Coalition of the Homeless
Bruce Porter, Coordinator, Charter Committee on Poverty Issues and
Director, of the Social Rights Advocacy Centre (Canada)
Tara Melish, Counsel
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Cecilia Perry, Attorney
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Robert Brown, Chair
Legal Committee
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign and
Founder, Kensington Welfare Rights Union
Cecilia Garza, National Administrator
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Sara Forgione, Chief of Staff
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Jon Blazer, Policy Attorney
National Immigration Law Center
Rafi Rom, Paralegal
Public Benefits
Community Legal Services
Mark Beck, Intern
International Women's Human Rights Clinic
CUNY School of Law
Michelle Andrews, Intern
International Women's Human Rights Clinic
CUNY School of Law
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