security of tenure
A person or household has security of tenure when they are protected from involuntary removal from their land or residence, except in exceptional circumstances, and then only by means of a known and agreed legal procedure, which must itself be objective, equally applicable, contestable and independent. Security of tenure is a fundamental requirement for the progressive integration of the urban poor in the city. It is an important catalyst in stabilising
communities, improving shelter condition and encouraging investment in home-based economic activities which, in turn, play a major role in poverty alleviation, reducing social exclusion and improving access to urban services. Just as there is a variety of existing tenure systems so there exists a range of policy options to provide security of tenure, either on an individual or on a collective basis, the use of which depends on local context. These include