Six Reasons Why Housing Is a Human Right

Is housing a human right? While the U.S. has yet to recognize it as one, a growing movement argues that safe, stable housing is essential to protecting other fundamental rights. In a piece in Shelterforce, a law professor breaks down six compelling reasons why housing should — and one day might — be considered a human right in the United States.

1. Housing is foundational to other rights. Without a home, individuals struggle to exercise their rights to free speech, privacy, and political participation. Criminalizing homelessness further restricts these freedoms, making housing security essential for true civil liberty.
2. The U.S. has historically supported housing as a right. From President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proposed “Second Bill of Rights” to the 1949 Housing Act, there’s a long American tradition of advocating for housing as a basic need.
3. Most of the world already recognizes housing as a human right. Nearly every country—except the U.S. and a few others—has signed international agreements affirming the right to adequate housing. Many have even enshrined it in their constitutions.
4. Public opinion overwhelmingly supports it. Surveys show that most Americans believe housing is a human right and support government efforts to ensure access to affordable homes. This public sentiment often shapes future laws and policies.
5. Faith and moral traditions call for housing justice. Across religious and ethical traditions, providing shelter is seen as a fundamental moral duty, reinforcing the idea that housing should be a guaranteed right.
6. U.S. laws evolve. Just as the Supreme Court has reversed past rulings on civil rights, there’s precedent for expanding legal interpretations to include housing as a fundamental right.

The debate continues, but history shows that calling for rights — before they are legally recognized — can drive real change. Could housing be the next right written into U.S. law? Read the full story at the link below or listen to it here.