Inclusive policies and programmes to address homelessness including in the aftermath of COVID-19

Joint EOP delivered on 18 November 2021

Thank you Chair.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of seven countries: Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and my own country, Australia.

We thank the African Group for its facilitation of this text and for bringing the issue of homelessness to the General Assembly’s attention.

Homelessness is indeed a pressing global challenge, affecting both developing and developed countries. As highlighted in the resolution, it is an issue which can affect the enjoyment of human rights. In turn, it is essential that, in addressing the issue of homelessness, Member States protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of all persons.

We thank the African Group for taking on board many of our proposals to strengthen the text.

We regret, however, that we were unable to cosponsor the text at this session. In our view, the text would have benefitted from a strengthened focus on human rights – including the right to adequate housing – as well as gender and inclusion issues. In particular, we would have liked to see language addressing sexual and gender-based violence, access to health services, and the needs of particular groups who may face discrimination, as well as a greater focus on the overall nexus between homelessness and human rights.

We also would have preferred the use of the terminology ‘persons experiencing homelessness’ rather than ‘people experiencing homelessness’ throughout the text. This terminology emphasises the fact that human rights are held by individuals, not groups.

We look forward to working with the African Group to continue to strengthen the text at future sessions.

Thankyou.

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