Good housing is a pre-requisite for human development
and welfare. It provides shelter, security, amenities
and privacy to the human beings for decent living.
Without good housing, people cannot realize their
full potential and carry on the life they want to lead.
Good housing reflects the general welfare of the
community, whereas bad housing leads to serious
consequences such as diseases, immorality, and
juvenile delinquency. Deprivation of a decent housing,
in fact, becomes a threat to social harmony and
economic prosperity. Housing is also an investment
activity and provides impetus to economic growth.
It has both forward and backward linkages. Because
of its forward and backward linkages, even a small
initiative in housing will propel multiplier effect in the
economy through the generation of employment and
demand.
Recognizing the critical importance of human
settlement in developing countries, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
have recognized the right to housing as a human right.
The UN also declared the year 1987 as International
Year for Shelter for the Homeless and Poor. Since
then, there has been a growing concern to address
various forms of housing deprivation particularly in
developing countries, where with the growing population
pressure, meeting the housing needs of all families
is a real challenge.