Family Homelessness UNANIMA Report

Family
Homelessness
through the lens of the
united nations 2030 agenda
Foreword
UNANIMA International is a evolving focus on women and

coalition of communities of children/girls who have been dis-
religious women who bring their placed has prompted the organiza-
voices, concerns and experiences tion to take a lead role, including
as educators, health providers, research, in homeless advocacy at
social workers, development and the United Nations.
community builders to the United
Nations (UN). Since obtaining Our present focus is on homeless-
UN Economic and Social Council ness and displacement as one of
(ECOSOC) special accreditation several global concerns that we
in 2005, the organization has have, and seek to address, at the
committed itself to working for United Nations. We work with
peace and human dignity in various partners, predominantly
response to the needs of our other members of civil society, to
world, by service to our members, help influence the policy decisions
the UN and other Non-Govern- being made by the UN member
mental Organizations (NGOs) states. This mandate has several
and community based groups different components. It is primarily
through advocacy, collaboration, targeted at educating member
education and action. UNANIMA states, so that diplomats have some
International’s continued and inputs and a point of reference from
civil society when they are negoti- others, so that its power can liberate
ating and making international the world”. What made for trans-
policy. We see ourselves as the link formational change at the UN was
between international policy and that for the first time It recognised
our local grassroots members of poverty, social protection, and in-
UNANIMA International in the equalities which are interconnected
85 countries in which we serve. and need to be addressed in a
multilateral and comprehensive
The core mantra of “Transforming way. Progress in each area cannot
our world” is the 2030 Agenda for be achieved if the other is missing.
Sustainable Development and its
pledge to ‘leave no one behind, Combating the issue of homeless-
especially those furthest left be- ness is integral in achieving the 2030
hind.’ This agenda is a plan of agenda. Progress in achieving the
action for people, planet and pros- eradication of homelessness under-
perity. It seeks to restore dignity pins and can hinder the success and
and equality to all people, by eradi- achievement of various goals and
cating poverty, and in our case their indicators, including Sustain-
homeless families, as the furthest able Development Goals (SDGs) 3,
left behind in our world. We be- 4, 5, 10, 11 and 16. This publication
lieve that what is now called for is a on leaving no one behind in the
paradigm shift in how we perceive context of Family Homelessness
the problems of poverty and home- and the 2030 Agenda demonstrates
lessness, and that it is time for a a Human Rights-Based Approach
revolution on the subject. (HRBA) to the SDGs, the lived
experience, the practitioner, advoca-
If we have only 10 years left from cy and policy recommendations
the 2030 Agenda then Transforma- and resources, we hope that it will
tional change is called for within be used by both state and non state
and outside the UN. We need con- actors at the local, domestic and
scious, focused and inspirational international levels.
leadership at this time in our history.
The former leader of the Czech Sincerely,
Republic Vaclav Havel said “the
power for authentic leadership, is
found not in external arrangements
but in the human heart. Authentic
Leaders in every setting - from Jean Quinn, DW
families to nation-states - aim at Executive Director
liberating the heart, their own and UNANIMA International
Acronyms
CEDAW The Convention on the
Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination Against Women
ECOSOC Economic and Social Council
HF Housing First
HRBA Human Rights-Based Approach
ILO International Labor Organization
IOM International Organization
for Migration
NGO Non-governmental Organization
NUA New Urban Agenda
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SEL Social and Emotional Learning
SPHE Social, Personal and Health
Education
UHC Universal Health Coverage
UN United Nations
UNCRC The UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child
UNDHR United Nations Declaration
of Human Rights
UNHCR The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees
WHO World Health Organization
Created by American University’s online

Master’s in International Relations
Contents
Introduction ................................................. 4
Family Homelessness and:
SDG 3 .................................................... 7
SDG 4 .................................................. 19
SDG 5................................................... 31
SDG 10................................................. 43
SDG 11....................................................55
SDG 13................................................. 67
SDG 16................................................. 79
Conclusion.................................................. 91
Recommendations....................................... 93
References................................................... 94
family homelessness through the lens of the united nations 2030 agenda | 3
Introduction
Kirin R. Taylor
Research Fellow at
UNANIMA International
4 | family homelessness through the lens of the united nations 2030 agenda
In War on the Family: Mothers in by society and the State.”3 In the
Prison and the Families They Leave proceeding law which explicitly
Behind, author and principal inves- extended rights tochildren, the
tigator Renny Golden stresses the United Nations Convention on the
importance of researchers consid- Rights of the Child (UNCRC) re-
ering women’s stories within their flects and expands the above:
full life narratives, particularly “Convinced that the family, as the
when concerning difficult experi- fundamental group of society and
ences related to livelihood and the natural environment for the
family.1 UNANIMA International growth and well-being of all its
advocates for Women, Children/ members and particularly children,
Girls and the Displaced with this should be afforded the necessary
in mind: experiences of homeless- protection and assistance so that it
ness and housing insecurity/inade- can fully assume its responsibilities
quacy are not the whole of an within the community.”4
individual’s or family’s reality.
Moreover, within international These premises incite UNANIMA
political issues, we must view Fami- International’s mixed methodolo-
ly Homelessness as one human gy, and intersectional, gender, and
rights issue among many, and seek social justice lenses of analysis.
to understand the histories and This publication combines evi-
contexts from which Family dence from recent literature with
Homelessness has stemmed. the expertise of service-providers,
Women and Children/Girls, glob- and those who have or are currently
ally, are vulnerable to the personal experiencing homelessness hous-
and familial circumstances,2 and ing instability. Additional inputs
structural/systemic causes of Fam- from diverse experts and academics
ily Homelessness, as well as the ac- give perspective to the UN’s SDGs
companying subjects of displace- and the barriers and prospects for
ment and trauma. However, within their achievement by 2030. This
the foundations of international publication will serve as an intro-
human rights law, the United Na- duction to some of the most press-
tions Declaration of Human Rights ing multilateral issues’ intersections
(UNDHR) Article 16.3 it is clearly with Women and Children/Girls’
stated, “the family is the natural homelessness/displacement and
and fundamental group unit of so- trauma, and relation to human
ciety and is entitled to protection rights. Considering the incontro-
vertible significance attributed to ther research on Family Homeless-
families, the barriers to their func- ness, displacement and trauma, 2.
tion across the globe are shocking. Increased international attention
to Family Homelessness, and 3.
Many testimonies and much evi- your - the reader’s - involvement in
dence and analysis herein will show addressing and preventing Family
Homelessness!
The urgency of Family Homeless- UNANIMA International’s Explo-
ness is displayed two-fold: firstly, ration of Family Homelessness
due to the great injustices and across multiple country case stud-
human rights abuses which are ies, and through the lenses of sever-
known to directly or indirectly al SDGs, has demonstrated that
cause Family Homelessness, and the development of partnerships,
reframing of commitments (such
secondly, due to Family Homeless-
as the New Urban Agenda) to be
ness’ adverse effects on individuals,
seen in a human rights context,
families, and communities, best and sharing of good practices are
framed within the concepts of each necessary for addressing Fam-
trauma and compound trauma. ily Homelessness multilaterally.
The issue must be addressed pre-
ventatively, though in the short-
that this issue has greatly violated term also reactively, and through
human rights, and that we are at a good governance supported by
crisis point. These realities and public concern and civic engage-
their effects do transcend into the ment. The initiatives, resources and
regional and international realms. ideas we highlight, as well as the
Therefore, this publication and its advocacy and policy recommenda-
partner Hidden Faces of Homeless- tions put forth show concern for
ness: International Research on human rights, and the need for
Families made for the Commission creativity and collaboration in re-
on Social Development of 2020, sponse to even the most harrowing
must be seen as catalysts for 1. fur- problems.
leaving no one behind
Family Homelessness and SDG 3
Ensure healthy lives

and promote well-being
for all at all ages
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the
well-being at all ages is crucial in achieving
sustainable development. According to the
United Nations Sustainable Development
Knowledge Platform significant progress
has been made in increasing life expectancy
and reducing the number of common
killers associated with child and maternal
mortality. 5 Unfortunately vast effort still
needs to be made in order to achieve each
of the targets outlaid in Goal 3. The goal’s
intersections with Family Homelessness
are plentiful and without addressing family
homelessness this goal will not be achieved.
Target 3.4 “By 2030, reduce by one third

premature mortality from non-communi-
cable diseases through prevention and
treatment and promote mental health and
well-being” is inherently linked with the
issue of Family Homelessness.6 Globally
more effort needs to be made to fully
address and eradicate ongoing and emerg-
ing health issues. Addressing Family
Homelessness can aid in achieving this.
“The premise is housing is healthcare.”

– Ronald Johnson, Co-Founder of Point Source Youth
climate change/natural disasters,
Analysis domestic violence, loss of employ-
Preety Gadhoke, PhD, MPH ment, disability, multiple comorbid-
Associate Professor, St. John’s University ities, and exorbitant medical costs.12
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences As such, family homelessness is an
MPH Program “extreme violation of the rights to
adequate housing and non-discrim-
Family homelessness is a global ination and often also a violation
health and human rights crisis.8 of the rights to life to security of
While there is increased attention person, to health, to protection of
to eliminate homelessness in recent the home and family and to free-
years, interventions and programs dom from cruel and inhuman treat-
have failed to provide long-term ment.”13 Hence, there has never
solutions. Having access to quality, been a more dire need to humanize
affordable, and safe housing is a and depoliticize family homeless-
human right and has serious impli- ness and prevent the subsequent ill
cations for population health.9 health effects.
Housing can “save lives, prevent
disease, increase quality of life, re- With the World Health Organiza-
duce poverty, help mitigate climate tion’s (WHO) Constitution (1946)
change.”10 It can further help UN envisioning “the highest attainable
member states achieve the SDGs, standard of health as a fundamental
including Goal 3 for good health right of every human being,”14
and wellbeing. With the world’s comes the need for a rights-based,
urban centers predicted to double by evidence-based public health ap-
2050, comes an ever-pressing need proach. The WHO calls for an inte-
for more affordable, accessible, and grated solution that is cross-
safe housing. Across the lifespan, disciplinary and multi-sectoral re-
the lack of affordable and safe hous- sponses. There are evidence-based
ing places vulnerable populations at approaches that can help alleviate
risk of stress, illness, premature dis- homelessness and, therefore, the dire
ease, interpersonal violence, depres- consequences of such losses of dig-
sion, suicide, and premature death.11 nity, self-esteem, and livelihoods.15
Interventions include improved
Families contending with home- housing, improved access to mental
lessness are caught in a vicious cycle and physical health care services,
of poverty and lack access to basic harm-reduction strategies, such as
necessities due to displacement, incorporating trauma-informed care
in schools for children
and youth.16 Public
health interventions must
address existing problems
with shelters, such as
poor air quality, damp-
ness, allergens, dust mites,
infectious diseases, metal
exposure, and accidents
in the home with fires
and other unintentional
injuries.17
Recommendations to ad-
dress the family home-
lessness and public health
crisis include, universal
terminology on family hol and substance abuse); Target
homelessness, effective leadership 3.8 (achieve universal health cover-
for local policies and programs for age); Target 3.a (tobacco control
families living in homeless, in- and prevention); Target 3.b (access
creased funding for evidence-based to health services); Target 3.d
health programs, and incentivizing (strength risk reduction and man-
local stakeholders to engage in local agement).19 In addition, policies
cross-disciplinary solutions to alle- and programs need to take a more
viate homelessness.18 A majority of holistic perspective on health and
the SDG 3 targets will need atten- wellness to be inclusive of mental,
tion in the context of family home- emotional/psychological, physical,
lessness, including and especially: spiritual, and social, and communal
Target 3.1 (reduce maternal mor- state of being.20 Community en-
tality); Target 3.2 (reduce prevent- gagement, making families living in
able deaths of newborns and chil- homelessness at the center of this
dren under five years of age); 3.3 approach, and advocacy to bring
(eliminate infectious and commu- dignity through integrated social
nicable diseases); Target 3.4 (pre- protection programs is at the heart
vent and treat non-communicable of the solution.21
diseases); Target 3.5 (prevent alco-
Human Rights
Though the basis of Human
Rights is that “everyone is
entitled to these rights, without
discrimination,” a reality demon-
strated most clearly and with
the most consequence on family
livelihood, is that human rights
related to health and wellbeing
are neglected, through housing
failures and elsewise. The follow-
ing articles from the UNDHR
are highlighted to remind na-
tions, and others with political
power, that finances, status and
identity must not dictate access
to healthcare and other necessi-
ties which can make a person
healthy and whole in the first
place. Article 3 “Everyone has
the right to life, liberty and secu-
rity of person.”22 While security
of person is often interpreted in
a legal sense, and in regard to
safety from atrocities such as
torture, we must look to this arti-
cle in a more practical way - how
it applies to the health and well-
being of a person. Article 25.1
“Everyone has the right to a
standard of living adequate for
the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, includ-
ing food, clothing, housing and
medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security
in the event of unemployment,
of his or her parents, legal guard-
ians, or other individuals legally
responsible for him or her, and, to
this end, shall take all appropriate
legislative and administrative mea-
sures; 3. States Parties shall ensure
that the institutions, services and
facilities responsible for the care or
protection of children shall con-
form with the standards estab-
lished by competent authorities,
sickness, disability, widowhood, particularly in the areas of safety,
old age or other lack of livelihood health, in the number and suitabil-
in circumstances beyond his con- ity of their staff, as well as compe-
trol.”23 UNCRC Article 3, in its tent supervision.”24 The applicabil-
entirety, displays the extensive and ity of human rights to Women and
coordinated concern needed for Children/Girls and their present
children and for action on their sufferings must be recognized.
behalf: Article 3 “1. In all actions
concerning children, whether un-
dertaken by public or private social
The information presented in the
welfare institutions, courts of law,
above analysis, among the others
administrative authorities or legis-
in this publication, displays egre-
lative bodies, the best interests
of the child shall be a primary gious human rights violations that
consideration; 2. States Parties un- are not irreparable, but do require
dertake to ensure the child such a paradigm shift on the issue of
protection and care as is necessary homelessness, and fulfillment of
for his or her well-being, taking the UN 2030 Agenda, as agreed to
into account the rights and duties by the signatories.
T
estimony Brianna,* Senior from Baltimore, USA
Homeless due to Health-Related Financial Difficulties
Homelessness? Frankly it’s de- health conditions it doesn’t

pressing. And with my story… help. I stayed sick the entire
unfortunately my health got winter until I moved here [into
the best of me... and I got here transitional housing]... I’ll nev-
because I had to stop worker forget the day in January it
ing.. It’s like you’re lost because was single digits out there and
you worked all your life and we had to get up and go. If you
what do you do? Life goes on… don’t feel good, they don’t
paying bills goes on. My first want to hear that. You have to
day of being homeless...was a get up and be gone… I had no
day of ripping and running, all idea that homeless people go
day and doing absolutely through this cycle every day.
nothing but moving. It’s like It’s an ongoing cycle from one
you get up 5:30 for no reason. shelter to the next… And even
You stay over here, you leave through my homelessness
12:30 to get over there to stay it hurt me even more seeing
an hour and a half… standing women there with their
out there in the brutal cold, children, homeless. It’s horri-
the rain. And when you have ble, it’s really horrible.
Note: Brianna was a participant in UNANIMA International’s

focus group at My Sister’s Place Lodge in the USA
* Name change
Responder lence and may also live with mental
health conditions or substance
Maureen Doherty abuse that have been exacerbated
BA(HONS), MPsych(Clin), D.Hyp, MAPS by trauma. Displaced children are
Endorsed Clinical Psychologist vulnerable to the negative psycho-
logical impact of housing instability,
Family Homelessness and health
maternal distress, educational dis-
are two issues that are inherently
ruption, and disconnection from
intertwined. In a regional Austra-
established peer networks. Older
lian context, an unprecedented crisis
single women, unable to find work
in housing affordability ironically
due to age or illness, and with little
coincides with a time when Tasma-
economic provision for retirement,
nia’s economy is the fastest growing
are growing in number. The address-
in Australia. Reminiscent of regions,
ing of housing and the health of
states and cities globally, many
individuals and families must occur
homeless women, sleeping rough,
simultaneously, to ensure sustainable
couch surfing or sleeping in tents
solutions that work for everyone.
and cars, are survivors of family vio-
A
dvocacy Recommendations
Acknowledging the role civil society, the needs of vulnerable populations
the private sector, and citizens play in including families experiencing
advocacy for resolving issues of health homelessness and housing insecurity,
and wellbeing in the context of Family the displaced, and people with
Homelessness, we recommend: disabilities
• Promotion of Maternal and Child •
Education for health practitioners
Health, with special concern for on trauma-informed care in order to
infancy and preschool stages more holistically meet the physical
• Improved nutrition and ecosystem and mental health needs of vulnera-
health through education at the ble people
family level, in educational institu- • Increased dialogue and reaction to
tions and in public spaces the social and environmental deter-
• Implementation of universal health minants of health
coverage (UHC) which will meet
P
olicy Recommendations
We believe the following policy rec- • The implementation of policies and
ommendations are essential to ad- services that meet the needs of peo-
dressing and preventing Family ple experiencing mental health and
Homelessness, and are applicable at substance abuse disorders, whom are
the local, national and international likely to have experienced traumas
levels. We encourage: •
The implementation of Universal
• The adoption of a holistic definition Health coverange and Social Pro-
of health and wellbeing within all tection policies to support public
health services, and specifically those health, not excluding the health of
that support people experiencing undocumented peoples, migrants
homlessness and the displaced. UN- and refugees
ANIMA International refers to the
• Provision of financial and material
WHO’s definition: “health is a state
resources for the presence of special-
of complete physical, mental and so-
ized support services on-site or in
cial well-being and not merely the
the vicinity of where people experi-
absence of disease or infirmity” 25
encing homeless and housing inse-
• The promotion of combined Hous- curity reside
ing First (HF) and Supported Hous-
ing models, which are better able to
mitigate holistic health threats
Resources
World Health Organization, Housing and health guidelines,
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/276001/9789241550376-eng.pdf.
IPIECA, Guide for Integrating human rights into environmental,
social and health impact assessments,
http://www.ipieca.org/resources/good-practice/integrating-human-rights-into-
environmental-social-and-health-impact-assessments-a-practical-guide-for-the-
oil-and-gas-industry/.
UNICEF, UNICEF Health Systems Strengthening Approach,
https://www.unicef.org/media/60296/file.
Ensure inclusive and

equitable quality education
and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all
As stated by UNESCO, education is not
only a human right. It is also an enabler for
sustainable development and peace. Each
of the Goals in the 2030 Agenda requires
access to education to empower individu-
als and families globally with the skills
and knowledge they need to live in dignity,
and fully participate in society.26 While
significant progress has been made specifi-
cally for girls, and bold efforts have been
made to implement universal education
goals, over 265 million children are cur-
rently out of school.27 Inherently linked to
the issue of Family Homelessness, educa-
tion remains both a driver and solution to
Family Homelessness. For these reasons
addressing family homelessness in the
context of quality education and lifelong
learning and achieving the targets outlaid
in goal 4 is integral in ensuring sustainable
development.
“A good education provides the best chance

for children to break the cycle of poverty and
homelessness. Understanding the disparities
homeless students counter is an important
step toward addressing their unique needs
and challenges.”
– Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness
Analysis tion that they come across now and
in their future lives. Another is called
Damien Quinn “Myself and the Wider World.” Its
6th Class Teacher, Ransboro objective is to promote the values of
National School, Sligo, Ireland a just and caring society in an
and Founder of Seomra Ranga age-appropriate manner, and to un-
(seomraranga.com)
derstand the importance of seeking
Building on the principle of truth, justice and peace. It is against
“leaving no one behind,” the UN the background of this curriculum
2030 Agenda emphasizes a holistic structure that my current 6th class
approach to achieving sustainable pupils (aged 11/12) and myself ex-
development for all. Amongst other plored the issue of homelessness.
things, SDG 4 emphasises that all As the issue of homelessness in
children should have free access to general, and child homelessness
quality primary and secondary edu- in particular, has become more
cation and that this should include prevalent in recent times, I decided
vulnerable children. Recent figures to collaborate with Jean Quinn,
estimate that up to 4,000 children Executive Director of UNANIMA
are experiencing homelessness in International, to develop some
Ireland and there are similarly classroom resources for primary
shocking statistics and realities schools that would deal with the
around the world.28 Therefore, it issue of homelessness in a child-
makes perfect sense that we should friendly and age appropriate manner.
educate children on an issue that The Seomra Ranga (meaning
is increasingly affecting their gener- “Classroom” in the Irish language)
ation in a very tangible way. website provides downloadable
The Irish primary school curriculum classroom resources for primary
is divided into different curricular school teachers. The first Seomra
areas, each with Strands and Strand Ranga/UNANIMA resource that
Units with suggested aims, objec- we made available to teachers was a
tives and learning outcomes. One of short presentation, complete with a
the Strands of the Social, Personal Teacher Guide, which aimed to
and Health Education (SPHE) area stimulate talk and discussion in the
of the Irish Primary School Curric- classroom as to what Homelessness
ulum deals with “Developing Citi- is, the causes, and what it looks
zenship.” Students are enabled to like.29 The presentation also aimed
challenge prejudice and discrimina- to challenge pupils’ views on Home-
lessness and to provoke them into socially, children cannot be immune
changing those views. from the discussion. Education is
the cornerstone to advancement
The second classroom resource for all pupils. SDG 4 gives us the
that we made available was an impetus to promote learning in
“Images of Homelessness Photo all of its forms. Our collaboration
Pack,” which aimed to stimulate with UNANIMA International in
talk and discussion on the topic of providing child-friendly and age
homelessness in the classroom.30 appropriate classroom resources
Teachers know that a strong image on the issue of homelessness gives
can provoke much discussion pupils the opportunity to engage
and debate, and this Photo Pack in a meaningful and tangible
contained lots of strong images way with the issue and, as demon-
to act as a stimulus for talk and dis- strated, gives them a voice in the
cussion. As part of our classroom discussion and debate. Creating
work, my 6th Class pupils respond- awareness amongst children about
ed to some of the images. the issue of homelessness fulfils
Because Homelessness is such an both SDG 4 as well as the aims of
important and contentious issue at the SPHE curriculum of the Irish
the moment, both politically and Primary School.
Human Rights
Education has both a role in en-
hancing opportunities for people
experiencing homelessness to “es-
cape” the situation, but also a role in
preventing homelessness by foster-
ing community, concern for human
rights and attention to human
rights abuses, and promoting un-
derstanding of the structural causes
of social injustice. Stereotypes, mis-
understandings, and misinforma-
tion can perpetuate conditions
which lead to Family Homeless-
ness. The following articles of the
UN Declaration of Human Rights
(UNDHR) prove relevant: Article
1 “All human beings are born free
and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and
conscience and should act towards
one another in a spirit of brother-
hood,” Article 26.1 “Everyone has
the right to education. Education
shall be free, at least in the elemen-
tary and fundamental stages. Ele-
mentary education shall be compul-
sory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally
available and higher education shall
be equally accessible to all on the
basis of merit,” and Article 26.2
“Education shall be directed to
the full development of the human
personality and to the strengthen-
ing of respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms. It shall pro-
mote understanding, tolerance and to the UNDHR. As Family Home-
friendship among all nations, racial lessness/Displacement increases,
or religious groups, and shall fur- the actualization of educational
ther the activities of the United rights, as human rights, and fulfill-
Nations for the maintenance of ment of international obligations
peace.” Globally, quality education becomes more difficult.
has been intimately tied to wealth
and status, and relatedly, though
sometimes independently, stability
of housing. Accessibility to educa- As Family Homelessness/Displace-
tion for youth is a tenant of the ment increases, the actualization
New Urban Agenda (NUA), and of educational rights, as human
the UNCRC, among other inter- rights, and fulfillment of international
national commitments, in addition obligations becomes more difficult.
T
estimony Keisy, Youth from Ambae, Vanuatu
Homeless due to Natural Disaster
I attended primary level at a state of emergency on Ambae

school called Nduindui [and] at island in response to the erup-
that stage I had to walk every tion of Manaro Voui Volcano.
morning to school because 26th of September, 2017, all the
there’s no school bus for us. It Ambaen were evacuated from
took 45 minutes to 1 hour to the island. Our school were
walk. High school level wasn’t warmly welcomed by the Bom-
easy for me, because there’s lots bua school in Santo. Londua
of disturbance, for example vol- staff had to build lots of tents
canic eruptions and lots more. and shelter for us to sleep in and
On Saturday the 23rd of Sep- also have our class activities in
tember, 2017, me and my college because Bombua school didn’t
friends were having our dinner have enough class rooms or
at the college dining hall when houses for us. School life in San-
all of a sudden we heard a big to was very hard for us because
crush of noise “boom boom” like we didn’t use tables to put our
the sound of a gun. Then we books on or have chairs to sit on.
saw a big flame of fire behind We just sat on the lawn and put
the two mountains. Our college our books on our thighs and did
teachers came to us and told us our writing. And sometimes we
to stay quiet and don’t be afraid didn’t have class because of the
because it’s just the volcano rain. Our tents/shelter weren’t
who’s been asleep and now it’s strong enough to hold the
awake, but we were so afraid water, water went inside, so we
crying calling our parents name had to spend days wandering
like someone has died…the Gov- around doing nothing.
ernment of Vanuatu declared a
Note: Keisy submitted a written statement to UNANIMA International

Responder of homelessness and to create
awareness among the students show
Cynthia A Mathew CJ that we need an education that is
NGO Representative for for social transformation. Although
Institute of the Blessed Virgin we say that education is key, it is only
Mary-Loreto Generalate one part of students’ lives. Govern-
Education is the key to better ments need to put in place social
life for every child. Education em- support for families. There needs to be
powers. It has a powerful role in an understanding that education is
preventing and ending youth home- part of a larger system. This research
lessness. The great initiative taken publication is a great resource for
by UNANIMA International along the Member States to find solutions
with others to develop the class- to end homelessness and for the
room resources to address the issue civil society to advocate to ensure
that no one is left behind.
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, meaning it will foster personal
the private sector, and citizens play wellbeing, interpersonal relation-
in advocacy for resolving issues of ships, and generally more secure
education in the context of Family and peaceful societies
Homelessness, we recommend: • Preschool access to educational re-
• Access to quality education (both sources and experiences, which
formal and informal) and safe, can have a positive effect and
supportive, respectful and inclusive long-term benefit throughout
educational environments for all, a child’s education
and particularly youth, the dis- • Use of uniforms which equalize
placed, and people with disabilities the status of children
•
Promotion of Social Emotional • Education on the growing phe-
Learning, which is trauma- nomenon of Family Homeless-
informed, and “peace education,” ness/Displacement
P
We believe the following policy •
Implementation of Social Emo-
recommendations are essential to tional Learning (SEL) methods
addressing and preventing Family and trauma-informed care in edu-
Homelessness, and are applicable at cational institutions
the local, national and international • Funding for the upgrading of edu-
levels. We encourage: cational spaces, with special focus
• Cross-sectoral planning and coor- given to increasing accessibility
dination of education • Development of explicit learning
•
Public funding for formal and opportunities for educational staff
informal education, with special that promotes understanding of
focus given to preschool and train- Family Homelessness, respect for
ing programs that ensure work skills women, and trauma-informed
practice
Resources
NGO Committee on Migration, Positive Effects of Innovative
Early Childhood Development Programs on Refugee Youth Resilience,
https://ngomigration.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/2016-position-paper-final.pdf.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights, The Human Rights Education Toolbox,
https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/the-human-rights-education-toolbox.
Common Sense Media, Educator Toolkit: Social & Emotional Learning,
https://www.commonsense.org/education/toolkit/social-emotional-learning.
Achieve gender equality

and empower all
women and girls
Made reference to across a vast number of UN
documents and programmes gender equality is
well established as a right. According to UN
Women, fulfilling this right and the targets
laid out in SDG5 is the best chance we as a
global community have to meet some of our
world’s most pressing challenges.32 An issue
globally, Family Homelessness is among the
likes of such issues which often affect women,
girls and their children more profoundly than
their male counterparts. While significant
progress has been made in achieving gender
equality there is still a long way to go. For
example 1 in 5 women and girls between the
ages of 15-49 have reported experiencing
physical or sexual violence by an intimate
partner,33 one of the leading causes of family
homelessness. Not only are Women and girls
more susceptible to vulnerabilities that drive
family homelessness once facing it they have
specific needs, especially when facing the situa-
tion of homelessness in the context of families.
For these reasons they require tailored ap-
proaches to its eradication which must occur in
order for the 2030 agenda to be successful.
“Women’s equal right to housing must be ensured

in all aspects of housing strategies. This includes
addressing women’s distinct housing experiences,
including discrimination with respect to land,
property and inheritance, violence against women
and the disproportionate impact on women of
forced evictions, inadequate water and sanitation
and pervasive poverty.”
– Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing34
Analysis islation for the promotion of gender
equality and the empowerment of
Katelyn C. Jones, PhD all women and girls at all levels.
Women, Peace, and Security Fellow
To reach each of these targets,
and ACLS/Mellon Public Fellow at
the Chicago Council on Global Affairs policymakers must give specific
and special attention to women and
SDG 5’s overarching goal is to girls’ homelessness, because home-
achieve gender equality and empower lessness is simultaneously a root
all women and girls. All SDGs de- cause, and negative consequence, of
pend on the achievement of SDG 5 the discrimination, socioeconomic
insofar as gender inequality is an in- inequalities, and violence SDG 5
controvertible and integral compo- aims to end.
nent of all dimensions of inclusive
and sustainable development. The Discrimination against women and
seventeen SDGs’ goals cannot be girls takes many forms, but one of
met without meeting SDG 5. The the most pressing is inheritance and
goal’s key targets include:35 land rights.36 Women must have
access to, use of, and control over
Target 5.1 End all forms of discrim- land and other productive resources–
ination against women and girls such as housing–to ensure their right
everywhere; to equality and to an adequate stan-
Target 5.2 Eliminate all forms of dard of living.37 Without secure land
violence against all women and girls rights, women face numerous obsta-
in the public and private spheres, cles in accessing safe and decent
including trafficking and sexual and housing, engaging in farming and
other types of exploitation; other agricultural activities, and in
running home-based enterprises.38
Target 5.a Undertake reforms to
give women equal rights to eco- Recognizing the interconnection
nomic resources, as well as access to between women’s land rights and
ownership and control over land gender equity, the Food and Agri-
and other forms of property, finan- culture Organization of the United
cial services, inheritance and natural Nations maintains a Gender and
resources, in accordance with na- Land Rights Database to track the
tional laws; advancement of gender-differenti-
ated access to land.39 And the
Target 5.c Adopt and strengthen African Union Land Policy Initia-
sound policies and enforceable leg- tive’s Campaign for Women’s Land
Ownership calls for 30% of land Housing and Land Rights Net-
to be in women’s names by 2025.40 work reports that in India, the Su-
The Kilimanjaro Initiative, Deliver preme Court and High Courts
for Good campaign, African have made judgments on home-
Women Development Fund, and lessness and adequate housing.
Landesa Center for Women’s Land However, these orders are not al-
Rights are all working to make this ways implemented. Data and legal
goal a reality on the continent.41 orders support the need to address
As a result of these efforts, Ethiopia homelessness to reduce violence,
has implemented a Women Land but the political will is not neces-
Rights Task Force,42 and Rwanda sarily there.46 Tackling housing in-
has instituted specific mechanisms stability and homelessness is a key
to combat policies that prevent way to eliminate violence against
women’s land rights.43 If women women and girls, a critical compo-
and girls globally do not have ac- nent of SDG 5.
cess to land and housing, equality is
impossible, and the SDGs cannot To achieve SDG 5, and the SDGs
be achieved. more broadly, the gender dimen-
sions of homelessness must be ad-
Ensuring women and girls have dressed. Policymakers must consider
homes is also integral to eliminat- the different causes and conse-
ing violence against them, includ- quences of homelessness for men
ing trafficking and sexual and other and women, boys and girls, to give
forms of exploitation. The Polaris women access to economic resourc-
Project found that 64% of human es, end violence, and empower
trafficking survivors were homeless them at all levels. Accordingly, pol-
or experiencing unstable housing icies must reflect international hu-
at the time they were recruited man rights standards, address
into their trafficking situation. The the specific needs of women and
promise of safe shelter is a way that other marginalized groups, and in-
traffickers recruit individuals from clude a diversity of perspectives and
the street.44 And the UN estimates insights throughout the policymak-
that 71% of persons trafficked are ing process.47
women and girls.45 Some countries
have already put in place laws re-
sponsive to the fact that addressing
homelessness is integral to address-
ing violence against women. The-
Human Rights
In the Charter of the United Nations
the equality of all people is put forth;
this is remarked upon in the pream-
ble of the UNDHR, “whereas the
peoples of the United Nations have in
the Charter reaffirmed their faith in
fundamental human rights, in
the dignity and worth of the human
person and in the equal rights of
men and women and have deter-
mined to promote social progress
and better standards of life in larger
freedom.”48 Placement of this in
the preamble signifies a premise for
action towards addressing gender in-
equality to achieve sustainable devel-
opment and ending Family Home-
lessness, not in the intricacies of the
human rights or international law,
but rather in the philosophy behind
it. Globally, there is often a gendered
experience of poverty, which must be
considered when interpreting both
the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child (UNCRC)which demon-
strates that equality and human
rights apply to the treatment of chil-
dren and therefore,“provides an in-
clusive structure for policy and pro-
gramme development to promote
and protect the rights of children,”49
and the Convention on the Elimina-
tion of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW). One
of CEDAW’s premises is that,
The precedent for policy action in
“
discrimination against women accordance with the above assertion
violates the principles of equality is outlaid in CEDAW, “Article 2
of rights and respect for human States Parties condemn discrimi-
dignity, is an obstacle to the partici- nation against women in all its
pation of women, on equal terms forms, agree to pursue by all
with men, in the political, social, appropriate means and without
economic and cultural life of their delay a policy of eliminating dis-
countries, hampers the growth of crimination against women and,
the prosperity of society and the to this end, undertake…,” among
other clauses in that convention
family and makes more difficult
and others.51
the full development of the potenti-
alities of women in the service of
their countries and of humanity.”50
Liz, Adult from Cork, Ireland
T
estimony Housing Insecure due to Poverty
and Family Circumstances
Maybe my child could have tional, it’s the one thing in my

been taken from me, if some- life I can say I’ve done with
one thought: “oh, Liz looks a lit- pride, with beauty, with love.
tle bit depressed today.” And [He] brings his own set of inspi-
now looking at where I am and rations and encouragement…
the beauty of the relationship And ending the relationship
I have with my son. How close with his father is the hardest
we are, and the bond we have… thing i’ve ever done in my life. It
I think, I could have actually was the hardest thing because
missed out on that if I was just [of] not having a family, myself…
a little bit more vulnerable… it’s We’re very healthy now - myself
quite terrifying that the capaci- and my son. I would have jeop-
ty of a woman is sometimes de- ardized my son’s mental health,
termined by someone in an to have an idea of presenting
authoritative position… So I three people, even though
don’t know if it’s about capacity, there was hell going on behind
or courage, because some- the closed door… I am so proud
times you’re just too scared to be a single mother. And this
to challenge that authority be- is a beautiful family type. And
cause we are told not to do my son embraces it. He em-
that. But I am so grateful that braces it. We’re together. We
I did, because the beauty that are two strong, we are two peo-
I have with my child is uncondi- ple strong.
Note: Liz participated in a formal interview with UNANIMA International

Responder violence and differential access
to land, property, housing and
Hantamalala Rafalimanana economic resources that disadvan-
NGO Representative for Institute tage women, can lead to women’s
of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Loreto and their children’s homelessness.
Generalate Through this publication, UNANI-
MA International is creating aware-
Homelessness is gendered: women
ness of how eliminating all forms
with children are more vulnerable to
of gender inequality can help end
homelessness than men. Gender-
family homelessness.
based inequalities, such as domestic
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, gender pay, pension and social pro-
the private sector, and citizens tection gaps; this must be accom-
play in resolving issues of gender in- panied by recognition of women’s
equality in the context of Family unpaid work and services for their
Homelessness, we recommend: families and communities
• National collection of disagregat- •
Women’s inclusion in manage-
ed data on violence against ment and leadership within the
Women and Girls, particularly workforce and political spaces
those with disabilities, ethnic mi- • Cross-sectoral initiatives for girls’
norities, and migrant workers expanded access to education, legal
• Action to accelerate progress to- supports, and opportunities within
wards the full and equal economic the economy, society, and politics
participation of women, in partic- • Increased access to and ownership
ular advocating for closing the of land and property for women
P
We believe the following policy rec- • Nations without policies prohibit-
ommendations are essential to ad- ing child marriages, forced marriag-
dressing and preventing Family es and trafficking to develop these
Homelessness, and are applicable at in accordance with the UNDHR,
the local, national and international and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress
levels. We encourage: and Punish Trafficking in Persons,
• The implementation of gender sen- Especially Women and Children, sup-
sitive policies that address Women plementing the United Nations Con-
and Girls, and specifically vulnera- vention against Transnational Orga-
ble groups including: individuals nized Crime
with a disability, migrants and refu- • Gender sensitive policies on do-
gees, LGBTQI and survivors of mestic and unpaid work in accor-
domestic and family violence dance with International Labor
• The promotion of equal represen- Organization (ILO) Recommen-
tation at the local, national and dation 201 (2011)
international governmental levels, • Ensuring women’s equal right to
and within the business sector housing within housing strategies
Resources
UN Women, Infographic: Human Rights of Women,
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2019/12/infographic-
human-rights.
Dr. Ifeyinwa Ofong, Women, Development and Environment (WorldWIDE
Network Nigeria), Habitat International Coalition, Policies to reduce
Homelessness among Women and Female Headed –Households,
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/07/
OFONG_Ifeyinwa_Presentation_2-1.pdf.
The Jean Tweed Centre for Women & Their Families, Trauma Matters:
Guidelines for Trauma-Informed Practices in Women’s Substance Use Services,
http://jeantweed.com/wp-content/themes/JTC/pdfs/Trauma%20Matters%20
online%20version%20August%202013.pdf.
Reduce inequality within

and among countries
Globally, there is a growing consensus that economic
growth is not sufﬁcient to reduce inequalities or
poverty, rather the three pillars of sustainable develop-
ment need to be addressed; economic, social and e
nvironmental.52 Focused primarily around economic
indicators in order to achieve what is outlaid in goal 10
we are mandated by the endless cross cutting issues
plaguing the 2030 agenda to address them through a
multidimensional approach. While progress has been
made on achieving Goal 10, such as income inequality
within and between countries showing evidence of
decline further progress needs to be made.53 Globally,
homelessness remains among one of the most visible
and growing inequalities. In many of the world’s most
affluent cities we see people experiencing homeless-
ness barely surviving on the streets that also hold the
world’s largest financial institutions. While each of the
targets of goal 10 can be linked directly to the issue of
family Homelessnes Target 10.2 alone calls for it to be
addressed “By 2030, empower and promote the social,
economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of
age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or
economic or other status.” Inherently intertwined with
family homelessness, the issues of family homelessness
and inequalities must be addressed simultaneously if
the 2030 agenda is to be achieved.
“There are people who go to work every single day and

still experience housing instability. Your ability to be
responsive to an ever-changing market, where the cost of
living is out-pacing any type of increase in pay, that’s not
on the individual. And also, when we adopt that mind-set,
the folks who suffer are children, right, are the next gen-
eration. And oftentimes, it ends up being on women’s
backs as well.”
– Sequoia Ayala, Director of policy and advocacy program
SisterLove, Inc.
Analysis tainable Development, and Address-
ing homelessness, multidimensional
Winifred Doherty poverty and social inclusion is not
NGO Representative of the about people aspiring for a place in
Congregation of Our Lady of the global financial markets or seek-
Charity of the Good Shepherd ing ‘handouts,’ but women and fam-
to the United Nations
ilies seeking sufficiency, wellbeing
Article 25 of the Declaration of and security in the face of global
Human Rights is the article that processes that exploit through ad-
connects homelessness, Sustainable vertising, marketing, the undercut-
Development Goal 10, social pro- ting of wages, the continuance of
tection and gender equality. the gender pay gap and the lack of
“Everyone has the right to a stan- recognition of women’s unpaid care
dard of living adequate for the work. Affordable housing and social
health and well-being ‘themselves protection systems for all in collabo-
and their families’ including food, ration with local initiatives strength-
clothing, housing and medical care en human dignity, human wellbeing
and necessary social services, and and promote gender equality. More-
the right to security in the event of over, it is clear that inequalities both
unemployment, sickness, disability, between and within countries are
widowhood, old age or other lack of detrimental to all people and the
livelihood in circumstances beyond natural environment; the effects of
‘their’ control.”54 inequality are not isolated.
SDG 10 Target 4 “Adopt policies, The neoliberal political economy

especially fiscal, wage and social and financialized globalization are
protection policies, and progressive- causes for concern. Inequalities in
ly achieve greater equality”55 de- capital are rising globally, again,
mands redistribution policies between and within nations.
and gender equality. Those who control policy and issue
salience, often also have power
The biggest challenge to the fulfill- over land and property and in SDG
ment of these rights today is grow- 10 in particular invites us to con-
ing inequality and a backlash against nect the dots and is directed to the
gender equality, not only between realization of an adequate standard
countries but within countries. The of living for every person including
strategic plan for humanity elabo- housing.
rated in the 2030 Agenda for Sus-
According to Leilani Farha, Spe- Rhetoric favoring ‘social spend-
cial Rapporteur on Adequate ing,’56 in theory, needs to be coun-
Housing, “Financialized housing tered by continually challenging
markets have caused displacement austerity policies in practice that
and evictions at an unparalleled have significantly contributed to
scale…” Privatization of public the phenomenon of homelessness
goods and social services, including experienced today. Social spending
the commodification of housing needs to be prioritized above debt
and the financialization of housing servicing and protected from aus-
projects promoted by financial in- terity measures. The current reality
stitutions in the name of public- of homelessness and states inability
private partnerships is antithetical to implement social protection
to poverty eradication, social inclu- floors and gender equality are not
sion, human rights, the responsibil- inevitable consequences, but are
ity of the state as duty bearer in the products of deliberate policy
the realization of SDG 10, and choices to maintain the status quo
gender equality. which is contrary to Article 25 of
the Declaration of Human Rights.
Human Rights
While the ILO strongly puts forth
the need to use a human rights-
based approach to the SDGs, they
also argue the applicability of this
approach to housing.57 Principles
put forth by Leilani Farha, Special
Rapporteur on adequate housing,
emphasize the need to use a hu-
man rights-based approach to hous-
ing and its relation to equality:
“Principle 2: prioritize those most
in need and ensure equality,”
and thereunder, “35. The right
to equality must be understood sub-
stantively. This means much more
than ensuring equal access to exist-
ing housing. It requires positive
measures to undo the effects of dis-
crimination and exclusion,” and
“Principle 6: human rights-based
goals and timelines,” and thereun-
der, “Goals should address systemic
issues such as stigmatization, ra-
cial divides, unequal provision of
services and transportation, land ac-
quisition and loss of agriculture.”58
The basis for nondiscrimination is
reflected in UNDHR Article 2
“Everyone is entitled to all the rights
and freedoms set forth in this Dec-
laration, without distinction of any
kind, such as race, colour, sex, lan-
guage, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status. Fur-
thermore, no distinction shall be
made on the basis of the political, all the above is extremely relevant.
jurisdictional or international status As natural and man-made disasters
of the country or territory to which encourage or necessitate human
a person belongs, whether it be in- migration, discussion of refugees’
dependent, trust, non-self-govern- equality also proves pertinent.
ing or under any other limitation of
sovereignty.” Later UN Documents
direct action for the realization of
According to the United Nations
equality. For example, one of the
premises of CEDAW is: “the59 High Commissioner for Refugees
eradication of apartheid, all forms of (UNHCR) “a refugee has the right to
racism, racial discrimination, colo- safe asylum. However, international
nialism, neo-colonialism, aggres- protection comprises more than
sion, foreign occupation and domi- physical safety. Refugees should
nation and interference in the receive at least the same rights and
internal affairs of States is essential basic help as any other foreigner
to the full enjoyment of the rights who is a legal resident, including
of men and women.”60 For Family freedom of thought, of movement, and
Homelessness/Displacement, par- freedom from torture and degrading
ticularly of minorities and refugees, treatment.”61
Marietta L. Latonio
T
estimony Social Worker in Cebu, Philippines
Reflection on “A Smiling Friend”
She found her little space beside city with her own family who is
the city’s highway road and equally struggling for their ev-
across [from] a fast food chain eryday needs. My workplace is
sitting under a tree using a dis- about 200 steps from Tina’s little
carded carton box to prevent space and I regarded her as my
her direct contact with the older sister. I see her at least
earth. I see her everyday in once a week and my heart
that spot except Wednesdays jumps when she smiles at me as
because she goes to a nearby she calls out my name ‘ma’am
church to hear mass in honour Mayet’. I love her and send her
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She messages if I don’t see her in her
does not beg but just waits for space for many days. The city
people who pass to donate food, government passed a law called
money or even medicines to “Anti-Mendicancy” which pro-
meet her daily needs and blood hibits people from giving any-
pressure low. She shares to me thing to beggars to discourage
that she prays for all people begging. However, there are no
to be safe, healthy and to have concrete measures to help
extra resources to spare to peo- street people away from the
ple who lived on the streets like streets. They are mostly round-
her. I was moved by her moral ed-up during special big events
code in life. Her name is Tina, 74 in the city and dumped in a
years old, lives a single life and filthy empty building space
spends most of her time on the owned by the government with
streets, though she has a sister no provision of water, bathroom,
who lives in the outskirts of the and sleeping bags.
Note: Marietta submitted a written statement

family homelessness tolens
through the UNANIMA International
of the united nations 2030 agenda | 51
Responder live in multidimensionally poor
households.62 Children living in
Solrun Engilbertsdottir multidimensional poverty are de-
Social Policy Specialist prived of their rights to education,
health, nutrition, water, sanitation
We cannot talk about inequality and housing. We know that social
without focusing on children living protection systems play a crucial
in poverty. Inequality starts with the role in addressing child socio-eco-
lottery of birth – who your parents nomic vulnerabilities, and contrib-
are and where you are born – which ute to preventing homelessness and
accounts for the vast majority of facilitating access to adequate hous-
variation in the resources and op- ing. However, the vast majority of
portunities available to human be- children have no effective social
ings. Children bear the greatest protection coverage globally. In or-
brunt of poverty, half of the 1.3 bil- der to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s
lion multidimensionally poor peo- SDGs, it is critical that the coverage
ple in the world are children under of social protection is significantly
the age of 18: 663 million children expanded.
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, • Transition to (or implementation
the private sector, and citizens play in of ) living wages, rather than mini-
advocacy for resolving issues of in- mum wages
equality in the context of Family • Implementation of universal social
Homelessness, we recommend: protection systems in accordance
•
Promoting the use of language with ILO recommendations, in
such as “people experiencing particular ILO Social Protection
homelessness” rather than “home- Floors Recommendation, 2012
less people” or “those people” (No. 202) which specifies the re-
• Empowerment of individuals and sponsibility of states in relation to
families who are experiencing op- social protection floors and na-
pression and disadvantage tional strategies for the extension
of social security and monitoring63
• Public support for social protection
floors throughout the life cycle
P
We believe the following policy rec- •
Inclusion of disaggregated data
ommendations are essential to ad- in national censuses and research
dressing and preventing Family •
States’ application of a Human
Homelessness, and are applicable at Rights-Based Approach to inter-
the local, national and international national policies and development
levels. We encourage: efforts
•
Investment in quality education • Action to use and convert vacant
for all to mitigate inequalities homes and living spaces, into
•
Implementation of policies that safe and affordable housing
reduce inequalities including but
not limited to universal health
care, labor rights, housing and so-
cial protection
“
A human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development
fundamentally shifts the core mission of development from
charity to the obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil rights.”64
– The Danish Institute for Human Rights
Resources
International Organization for Migration (IOM), Migration Data Portal,
https://migrationdataportal.org/?i=refug_host_perc&t=2018&m=1.
World Inequality Database, https://wid.world/.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights, Courses in Human Rights-Based Approaches,
https://www.humanrights.dk/learning-hub/content-topic/human-rights-based-approach.
Making cities and

human settlements
inclusive, safe, resilient
and sustainable
Cities and settlements are often considered
societal hubs, a place for ideas, commerce, culture,
science, productivity, social development and
much more. In the past, and more than likely into
the future cities and settlements have played a
major role in economic and social advancement
globally. With the number of people living in
cities are expected to rise to over 5 billion people
by 2030,65 achieving the targets outlaid in goal 11
is of the utmost importance if the agenda is to be
achieved. Without their achievement, people liv-
ing in cities, especially families, are likely to face a
vast range of challenges and cross cutting issues
that impede on the achievement of the other
16 goals and the agenda as a whole. Goal 11 is
closely linked to the issue of Family Homeless-
ness Target 11.1 specifically states “By 2030, en-
sure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable
housing and basic services and upgrade slums”
and is perhaps the most direct link to homeless-
ness in the SDGs. Target 11.1 along with other
United Nations documents including the Univer-
sal Declaration of Human Rights specifically give
reference to the right to housing as a major chal-
lenge to the achievement of Goal 11. For this rea-
son it is integral that Family Homelessness is
addressed in order for goal 11 and the 2030 agen-
da to be achieved.
“
Rather than responding to homeless persons as
affronts to the senses and to their neighborhoods,
citizens and local authorities should see in their
presence a tragic indictment of community and gov-
ernment policies.”66
– Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty
and Human Rights
Analysis housing at the center of social wel-
fare and solutions for sustainable
Chris Williams, PhD urban development.
Director at UN-Habitat
Target 11.3 is also highly relevant to
UN-Habitat welcomes efforts the reality of Family Homelessness.
by UNANIMA International to ad- It calls upon governments and vari-
vocate for the rights of the homeless ous non-State actors “by 2030, to
and address the underlying causes enhance inclusive and sustainable
and traumatic effects of Family urbanization and capacity for partic-
Homelessness, particularly residen- ipatory, integrated and sustainable
tial insecurity experienced by fami- human settlements planning and
lies including women and children. management.” Planning envisioned
Among the 17 Sustainable Devel- by UN Member States encompasses
opment Goals adopted by UN the participation of all stakeholders,
Member States in 2015, SDG 11 – including homeless families. This
“Make cities and human settlements is exemplified by the Housing
inclusive, safe, resilient and afford- First policy of the Government of
able” is the most important to the Finland. It recognizes the homeless
reality of Family Homelessness.67 as “experienced-experts” involving
them directly into the processes
Target 11.1 pertains to housing, of planning and program imple-
calling upon the international com- mentation – a model for govern-
munity “by 2030, to ensure access ments in the developed and
for all to adequate, safe and afford- developing world.
able housing and basic services and
to upgrade slums.” The first of ten In addition to housing and planning,
targets, 11.1 raises the bar for gov- the framers of SDG 11 also priori-
ernments worldwide to promote tized public space. Target 11.7 calls
policies, investments, and practical upon governments and local au-
action both to prevent the structural thorities “by 2030, to provide uni-
conditions that bring about home- versal access to safe, inclusive and
lessness and to house families de- accessible, green and public spaces
prived of residential security. in particular for women and chil-
UN-Habitat, through its policy dren, older persons and persons with
support to governments and munic- disabilities.” Public spaces are at
ipalities promotes the “housing at times locations where families who
the center approach,” that positions lack residential security seek refuge.
Local government policies to 11.5, “by 2030, to reduce the num-
achieve Target 11.1 require a com- ber of deaths and the number of
mitment to policy alternatives to people affected and substantially
forced evictions from public spaces, decrease the direct economic losses
including participatory resettle- relative to global gross domestic
ment to protect the human rights product caused by disasters, includ-
of Families. ing water-related disasters, with a
focus on protecting the poor and
Homeless families are particularly the people in vulnerable solutions.”
vulnerable to disasters. Extreme As with planning, the preparation
weather floods, hurricanes and of disaster risk reduction policies
mudslides associated with the ad- must include homeless families to
vent of the climate crisis dispropor- ensure the realities of women and
tionately affect those living in high- children experiencing residential
risk areas, often locations not insecurity are embedded in risk
intended for human settlement. reduction strategies and programs.
It was with these issues in mind that
UN Member States adopted Target
Human Rights
Much of the philosophy surround-
ing Human Rights, including,
“whereas the peoples of the United
Nations… have determined to pro-
mote social progress and better
standards of life in larger freedom,”68
must be actualized within the con-
texts of cities and communities.
UNHDR Article 22 declares each
member of society’s “right to social
security,” and the role of the nation
and the international community in
such an entitlement, yet the variety
of contexts and cultures where actu-
alization must happen should be
recognized and considered in the
design of social protection, home-
lessness/housing services, law, etc.
Further articles worth discussing
are Article 27.1 “Everyone has the
right freely to participate in the cul-
tural life of the community, to enjoy
the arts and to share in scientific ad-
vancement and its benefits,” and
Article 29 “Everyone has duties to
the community in which alone the
free and full development of his
personality is possible.”69 Safe, se-
cure, and tenured housing should
be considered a stipulation for suc-
cessful and full participation in soci-
ety. UNCRC Article 5 asserts the
agency that families have in chil-
dren’s upbringing, as relevantly ex-
tended to communities: “...to pro-
vide, in a manner consistent with
the evolving capacities of the child, One final relevant point is Farha’s
appropriate direction and guidance “Principle 9: clarify the obligations
in the exercise by the child of the of private actors and regulate
rights recognized in the present financial, housing and real estate
Convention.” 70 markets.”71 Not only governments,
but also other actors, play a role in
societies’ achievement of adequate
The need for strong supports and housing for all; within the context
concern for children from commu- of cities and communities, such re-
nities, and increasingly from cities sponsibilities and needs must be
filling this role, should not be clearly defined and then communi-
displaced upon family units or cated to all actors.
individuals themselves.
Carmen Alicia Figuera
T
estimony Nurse in Fond Parisien, Haiti
Reflection on Housing as a Human Right
When we speak about signifi- learning. In the afternoon I

cant experiences in our lives went to visit her and it was a
that help us to change our view, cyclonic season and the last
this is one of them: Wanita, a rain with wind had left her
Haitian girl whose dream is to house [damaged]. And the
have a “ti kay” (little house), question that arose from me
where there is no fear when it was why aren’t we all be born
rains and where her brothers with the same rights... and able
and mother can live in peace ... to live with dignity? Where are
In a small morning prayer at the politics, economics, and
school that was her request to universal rights that humanize
Bondye (supreme God), to help life? And from the trench we
her mother to make this come have to continue dreaming
true. She is an intelligent girl, and fighting so that solidarity
who goes to school impeccably becomes visible and another
and has her only interest in world is possible.
Note: The above was submitted as a written statement from a Carmelite Sister of Verdruna,
originally in Spanish, to a UNANIMA International Board Member
Responder the needs of the most vulnerable
also include supports that ensure
Tony O’Riordan our communities are not just resil-
Chief Executive Officer at Sophia ient but ensures that the trauma
experienced by vulnerable people
Home is at the heart of every are addressed and the cycle of
human settlement; home is at homelessness and poverty ends with
the heart of life itself. this generation.
Target 11.1 By 2030, ensure access Our communities and services
for all to adequate, safe and afford- identify this need to go beyond
able housing and basic services safe and secure and look forward
Providing, safe and affordable homes to making Goal 11 of creating in-
is the foundation stone of Sophia clusive, safe, resilient and sustain-
Housing, but Sophia goes further, able communities a reality for all.
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, current and future international
the private sector, and citizens play agreements and agendas, such as
in advocacy for resolving issues of the New Urban Agenda
city and community organization •
Support for Housing First and
in the context of Family Homeless- Supported Housing models
ness, we recommend:
•
Greater governmental funding
•
Preventing forced evictions and and support dedicated towards
foreclosures rural areas and their needs, includ-
•
Community integration of all ing climate-smart agriculture and
people, regardless of background, simultaneous creation of response
through increased public opportu- plans in preparation for increasing
nities and support systems urbanization
• Application and promotion of a
HRBA in the implementation of
P
We believe the following policy • The upgrading of slums and inad-
recommendations are essential to equate housing to meet the needs
addressing and preventing Family of families, not limited to access to
Homelessness, and are applicable at sanitation services and safe water
the local, national and international • The implementation of legislation
levels. We encourage: and community services which
•
The implementation of Human challenge and mitigate forced
Rights-based policies such as evictions and foreclosures
the combined Housing First and •
Preparations for increased rural
Supported Housing models to urban migration, including ex-
• Funding, infrastructure, and con- panded services for children and
tinued maintenance that allows vulnerable groups; simultaneous
and encourages safe spaces for increased governmental attention
youth and families, such as com- to rural areas, to dissuade rapid ur-
munity centers banization
Resources
Habitat III Secretariat, New Urban Agenda,
http://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/NUA-English.pdf.
Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur for adequate housing,
The Right to Housing and the New Urban Agenda report,
http://www.unhousingrapp.org/user/pages/04.resources/Thematic-Report-6-
The-Right-to-Housing-and-the-NUA.pdf.
Housing and Land Rights Network, Guide to Practical Solidarity
for Defending the Human Right to Adequate Housing,
http://hlrn.org/UA%20Publication%20Eng%20Website%20.pdf.
Take urgent action to

combat climate change
and its impacts*
Identified by many as the most significant issue we as
a global community face in the 21st century, climate
change is now affecting every country on every conti-
nent. Unlike its ramifications, climate change is a
global issue that leaves no one behind, affecting people
and the planet in every country no matter its location
or economic status, in a diverse number of ways.
According to the detailed Special Report: Global Warm-
ing of 1.5 Degrees by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, globally we are reaching established
tipping points at alarming rates, so we can no longer
ignore its influence; instead, we must mitigate, become
resilient and adapt to the changes it is causing.72 Ad-
dressed by the term ‘climate crisis,’ in recent times in-
dividuals and families globally have recognized the
urgency for climate action. Many ramifications of
climate change including drought, land degradation,
sea level rise, conflict, extreme weather events and
natural disasters are significant drivers of Homeless-
ness. Inherently linked to displacement and conflict,
like many cross cutting issues climate change impacts
the poorest and most vulnerable people first
and worst,73 in turn leaving them even more vulnera-
ble to homelessness.
“In the typical family [where I work in rural El Salvador] the

husband and wife leave the house every morning to work
in the land as farmers. They can grow vegetable, and other
crops. But because of the climatic changes they cannot
get the expected income from their labor. Most of the time
they get loans to cultivate the crops. But at the end, due to
heavy rains or heavy drought they do not get expected
results. Either they have to sell for a cheaper rate or just
destroy them without any profit, so they have trouble
settling their loans. Therefore these families can never
think of constructing a permanent house”
– Sister Dulcie Fernando, Sister of the Divine Savior, El Salvador
Analysis fering extreme drought is predicted
to increase from 1 per cent at present
Paula Braitstein, PhD to 30 per cent by the end of the
Associate Professor, 21st century. Less rain will have
University of Toronto, Canada particularly serious impacts for
sub-Saharan African agriculture
Family Homelessness is on the rise
which is largely rain-fed.77 Agricul-
as a result of climate and environ-
tural production, including access to
mental change. Climate change
food, in many African countries and
is increasing the frequency and in-
regions is projected to be severely
tensity of extreme weather events
compromised by climate variability
such as heat waves, wildfires,
and change.78
droughts, floods and tropical cy-
clones, aggravating water manage- Meanwhile, melting glaciers will
ment problems, reducing agricultur- increase the risk of flooding during
al production and food security, the wet season and reduce dry-
increasing health risks, damaging season water supplies to one-sixth
critical infrastructure and interrupt- of the world’s population, predomi-
ing human access to basic services nantly in the Indian sub-continent,
such as water and sanitation, educa- parts of China and the Andes.79
tion, energy and transport.74 Cli- As water resources become scarcer,
mate processes are also at work, in- increases in water-related conflict
cluding slow onset changes: sea- can be expected, potentially causing
level rise, salinization of agricultural millions of refugees and internally
land, and desertification. Assess- displaced people.80 Natural disasters
ments based on improved elevation can have similar affects on livelihood
data show that without existing, and housing. Hurricanes Katrina
augmented or new coastal defences, and Rita which lashed the Gulf
land currently home to 300 million Coast of the United States in 2005,
people is at risk of flooding at least left an estimated 2 million people
annually by 2050, and land home to homeless.81 And that is in a high-
150 million could become perma- income country with relatively good
nently below the high tide line.75 infrastructure and emergency re-
In parallel, large areas are expected sponsiveness. Whether homes are
to become drier—the proportion of patently destroyed, rendered unsal-
land in constant drought is expected vageable or insecure, or slowly inun-
to increase from 2% to 10% by dated by rising flood or tidal waters,
2050.76 The proportion of land suf- climate change is and will contrib-
ute significantly to Fami-
ly Homelessness.
Climate change is called a

‘risk multiplier’ because
whatever background
risks people are facing, for
example, housing insecu-
rity and/or homelessness,
extreme poverty, or gen-
der inequity, is going to
be multiplied in the face
of climate change; the
connection between cli-
mate action and the other
SDGs is clear. The prob-
lem is one of time (the
speed of change) and
scale (the number of
people it will affect).82
Temporary migration as
an adaptive response to
climate stress is already
apparent. But the picture
is nuanced; the ability to
migrate is a function of
mobility and resources spaces and processes where climate
(both financial and social).83 In action is discussed. This relates to
other words, the people most vul- Target 13.A “Implement the com-
nerable to climate change are not mitment undertaken by devel-
necessarily the ones most likely to oped-country parties to the United
migrate. It is likely that the burden Nations Framework Convention
of providing for climate migrants on Climate Change…”84
and refugees will be borne by the
poorest countries—those least re- Women and Girls, all young chil-
sponsible for emissions of green- dren, the elderly and the poor have
house gases and those with the least the highest risk of experiencing the
clout within multilateral diplomatic negative effects of climate change
and the fewest options to recover. ment killed an average of 44 people
This may occur through patently per event, while disasters in coun-
losing their homes to flooding or tries of low human development
fire. It may also happen through the killed an average of 300 people
health outcomes arising from each.87
natural disasters and slower climate
processes. Climate change is pre- Addressing and preventing Family
dicted to worsen a variety of health Homelessness is closely intertwined
problems including malnutrition, with climate action: addressing and
diarrhoeal diseases, and pneumo- reducing the harms associated
nia.85 Patterns of vector-borne dis- with climate and environmental
eases such as malaria and dengue change. SDG Target 13.2 “inte-
are changing with rising tempera- grate climate change measures into
tures.86 Those families who are national policies, strategies and
already homeless will be more planning,” displays the necessity
exposed to extreme temperatures for state action. Investing in meet-
and heavy precipitation, vectors of ing basic human rights such as
disease such as mosquitoes, and safe and affordable housing will
have fewer resources or options to reduce the vulnerability of families
fall back on given weak in-country who are at highest risk of and/or are
infrastructure. In the decade from already experiencing homelessness
1994 to 2003 natural disasters in and help create a healthier and more
countries of high human develop- resilient population.
Graphic by Paula Braitstein, PhD with UNANIMA International
H
uman Rights
According to the Mary Robin-
son Foundation - Climate Jus-
tice’s report Rights for Action
Putting People at the Centre of
Action on Climate Change,
“Human rights and climate
change are linked in three key
ways: i) Climate change has im-
plications for the full range of
human rights, particularly for
people living in situations of
poverty, marginalization and
vulnerability. ii) A failure to in-
tegrate human rights into cli-
mate action can undermine
people’s rights. iii) The integra-
tion of human rights into cli-
mate change policies can im-
prove effectiveness and result
in benefits for people and the
planet.”89 While there is no
direct mention of the climate or
environment in the UNDHR,
Article 28 “Everyone is entitled
to a social and international
order in which the rights
and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration can be fully real-
ized,”90 is more than sufficient
in connecting the dots between
SDG 13, Family Homelessness
and human rights. Social and
international orders are severely
interrupted by climate change
and abuses of/disregard for the
planet and concurrently people
living, and future generations. The needs of communities in areas
Multilateral diplomatic engage- prone to disaster and flooding,
ment, including the actions sur- such as along river banks and wa-
rounding the UN 2030 Agenda and terfronts, must be prioritized.
NUA are essential for addressing States must ensure that disaster
the issue. All nation states should prevention development plans, such
take part in climate action, which as the building of embankments or
the Paris Agreement gave positive flood channels, do not unnecessarily
direction to; Article 4, paragraph 2 uproot communities and house-
specifies the requirement of nation- holds. “Peoples plans” for relocation
ally determined contributions from and strategies for protection against
all signatures, which allows for the disasters should be given priority;
communication and guidance of 32. Strategies must ensure that
climate action processes.91 The communities have the resources and
Report of the Special Rapporteur on technical capacity to build housing
adequate housing as a component of that can withstand extreme weather
the right to an adequate standard events, earthquakes and other
of living, and on the right to non- disasters, drawing on local and in-
discrimination in this context puts digenous expertise and capacities
forth principles for meeting the where possible.”93
right to an adequate standard of
living, one of which is Principle 2
“Prioritize those most in need and Within the context of the Paris Agree-
ensure equality.”92 The guidelines ment and otherwise in accordance
but forth by Farha use a Human with human rights and international
Rights-Based Approach and would laws, climate action is demanded by
address many of the aforementioned nation states for the benefit of people
risks for family homelessness: “31. and planet.
T
estimony Mary, Adult from Kakuma, Kenya
Homeless due to Climate Change and Poverty
Mary was born in 1978 in Kaku- siblings with an uncle. As there

ma, in north-western Kenya in was no food because of the
the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands drought, unproductive soil, and
of Turkana County. This is a extreme family poverty, she
drought-prone region that nor- went begging potato peelings
mally goes through regular from the local hotels to boil
cycles of drought and flooding. into soup. At the age of 10, Mary
With climate change these migrated with two of her broth-
events have become more fre- ers to the streets of Eldoret in-
quent and more severe. The search of sustenance and some
people in this region are pre- kind of life. Today Mary has six
dominantly agro-pastoralists, children of her own. Four of
depending on rain to provide them live in Lodwar, the capital
water for crops and grazing of Turkana county, and two live
livestock. If the rains fail, crops in Eldoret in a Children’s Home
can’t grow, especially in the (aka orphanage). Mary is still
hard and unproductive land heavily street involved and
of the region; no water for live- spends most of her days and
stock has devastating impacts many of her nights on the
on both livestock and families street. Mary’s lived experience
who depend on them. Mary of drought, poverty and home-
was the youngest of six children lessness is a good example of
and an orphan from age 8 the risk multiplication that
when her parents died. She happens to people already
lived with some of the younger living on the margins.
Note: Mary participated in a formal interview with Paula Braitstein, PhD

on behalf
family of UNANIMA
homelessness throughInternationall
the lens of the united nations 2030 agenda | 75
Responder With food supplies compromised,
more than 80% of the food is im-
HE Samuelu Laloniu ported in the form of processed
Permanent Representative of Tuvalu canned foods which sadly contrib-
at the United Nations utes to the already very high inci-
dence of non-communicable diseas-
The adverse impacts of climate
es in the country. What is happening
change and sea level rise are visible
in Tuvalu is also being experienced
everywhere in Tuvalu where the
in other atoll nations as well as
average land elevation above sea
low-lying coastal areas around the
level is 3m. The country is extremely
world. In all these places, climate
vulnerable to climate change and
change and sea level rise compro-
sea level rise. In most places, ground-
mise food and water security as
water has been replaced by seawater
well as health. Such outcomes are
or it is contaminated and unsafe for
drivers of homelessness and lead to
drinking. Contaminated ground
tensions and conflicts within the
water also makes agriculture ex-
family and community, making the
tremely difficult. The country de-
furthest left behind even more
pends entirely on rain-water and
vulnerable. The poor and marginal-
the irregular rainfalls further makes
ized communities are the frontline
life difficult. Fish is the main source
victims of climate change and sea
of protein and increasing fuel prices
level rise.
means many cannot go out fishing.
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, • National transitions to sustainable
the private sector, and citizens play energy sources; more widespread
in advocacy for resolving issues of communal usages of innovative
climate change and environmental low-cost and sustainable practices,
health in the context of Family such as the toilet pictured below
Homelessness, we recommend: that uses compost instead of
•
Promotion of and adherence plumbing
to UN Climate agendas and rec- • Community, and specifically youth
ommendations participation in environmental
•
Support for climate-smart agri- politics and climate action
culture, particularly in rural areas •
Implementation of reforestation
to reduce rural-urban migration and forest maintenance to reduce
and increase the sustainability CO2 emissions
of practices
P
We believe the following policy • The creation of special committees
recommendations are essential to for environmental sustainability
addressing and preventing Family and ecological wellness at all gov-
Homelessness, and are applicable at ernmental levels
the local, national and international •
The provision of community-
levels. We encourage: based services to homeless fami-
•
Cross-sectoral investment in lies to reduce their exposures to
climate-smart urban infrastruc- extreme temperatures and vectors
ture to create urban resilience of disease
•
The inclusion of vulnerable and •
Development and coordination
affected populations in the policy of emergency response plans for
and planning surrounding disaster both urban and rural areas
management, mitigation, adaption
and impact reduction
Resources
Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, Rights for Action:
Putting People at the Centre of Action on Climate Change,
https://www.mrfcj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRFCJ-Rights-
for-Action-edition-2.pdf.
The NGO Committee on Migration, Climate-Induced Displacement:
How our changing Climate is forcibly displacing millions from their
homes and what we can do about it,
https://ngomigration.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/com-
climate-induced-displacement-brochure-march-2017.pdf.
Crowther Lab, Reforestation resource: Map,
https://www.crowtherlab.com/maps-2/?utm_source=Twitter_
InteractiveMap&utm_medium=Social%20Media&utm_campaign=TreePotential.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies

for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at
all levels
Political unrest, discrimination, violence
against women and children, human traffick-
ing, slavery and the militarisation of children
remain threats to the promotion of peaceful
and inclusive societies.94 The marginalization
of vulnerable groups including individuals
and families experiencing homeless burdens
the plight of inclusive societies. While prog-
ress has been made, such threats continue to
impede the achievement of goal 16. The issue
of homelessness remains one deeply inter-
twined with goal 16. The experience of
Family Homelessness often leaves victims
with lack of security, access to justice and
identification and the increased vulnerability
to the above mentioned issues. Target 16.b
specifically states, “promote and enforce
non-discriminatory laws and policies for
sustainable development.” To ensure that goal
16 is achieved policy, regulations and laws
must not continue discriminate and criminal-
ise homelessness. Rather they should pro-
mote the inclusion of groups like this who
are left furthest behind. According to the
Chronic Poverty Research Centre (2009)
research suggests that specific policies and
programmes are needed to target the poorest
people to overcome the multiple barriers
they face and address the structural causes
of chronic poverty and social exclusion.
“We must become more mindful of the many

ways racism infects our daily life and under-
mines peace and justice.”
– Pax Christi USA
Analysis evaluation of incarceration with a
holistic concern for women and
Judith Ryder, PhD their families.
Professor and Director,
Criminology & Justice MA Program Over 714,000 women are incarcer-
St. John’s University ated worldwide. This number rep-
resents a small percentage of the
SDG 16 is very relevant to both international prison population, but
the prevention of and responses the female rate of incarceration has
to Family Homelessness. One surged approximately 53% since
facet of Peace, Justice and Strong 2000, as compared to 20% amongst
Institutions is criminalization. male prisoners.96 Globally, African
The following targets95 should be American, Afrodescendent, and in-
considered in relation to family digenous women are disproportion-
homelessness and the criminaliza- ately represented in carceral popula-
tion of people experiencing home- tions.96 Although only 4% of the
lessness and poverty, especially world’s female population lives in
women who are mothers: the United States, that nation ac-
16.3 Promote the rule of law at counts for over 30% of the world’s
the national and international lev- incarcerated women, the vast
els and ensure equal access to justice majority of whom are mothers.98
for all Globally, a high percentage of
women in jails and prisons also
16.6 Develop effective, accountable report histories of abuse, victimiza-
and transparent institutions at all tion, and trauma—histories often
levels linked to mental health problems,
limited economic opportunities, and
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive,
criminal behaviors.
participatory and representative
decision-making at all levels Around the world, women generally
are much less likely than men
16.B Promote and enforce non-
to participate in the formal labor
discriminatory laws and policies
market.99 This may reflect a lack of
for sustainable development
access to the labor market, which
Additionally, the Convention on coincides and interlinks with lack of
the Elimination of all Forms of access to justice institutions, and
Discrimination Against Women more general social exclusion.
(CEDAW) sets a precedent for the Women are more likely to be the
primary caretaker of children: when charged with non-violent, petty
men are imprisoned women gener- survival crimes, including fraud,
ally continue to raise their chil- forgery, shoplifting and theft.
dren100 but the caregiving work is
not reciprocal when the situation is A lack of strong social supports and
reversed.101 One result is that institutions has contributed to a
female heads of households experi- constant recycling of family home-
ence a higher probability of episod- lessness and female incarceration.
ic homelessness or unacceptable The gendered pathways that have
living conditions prior to incarcera- brought women into these two
tion and also later upon release. intertwined systems must be dis-
Framing the international housing rupted. To do so, the UN’s Sustain-
crisis as a crisis in access to justice, able Development Goal 16 of
a Special Rapporteur report notes peace, justice, and strong institu-
that women and their children face tions calls upon nations to support
not only high housing costs but women’s roles as caregivers, while
discriminatory customary laws and they are incarcerated, while their
traditional practices, as well as children’s fathers are incarcerated,
unequal access to “title, rental and when they return to the com-
agreements or credit to finance munity. Governments, employers
housing.”102 and trade unions must work to not
only expand access to paid job op-
Women released from custody portunities for women, but to
encounter additional stigma and provide the means for affordable
often are banned from receipt of childcare. Such steps may foster
government housing assistance.103 desistance from criminal activity,
provide women and their children
The feminization of poverty and financial independence and access
violent or discriminatory living to secure housing, while serving
conditions cause many women to to ensure women equal and equita-
turn to economic crimes and drug ble access to social and economic
dealing to alleviate hunger and resources and sustainable routes
homelessness,104 but rarely has that out of poverty.
path proved successful to securing
their needs and livelihood. Rather,
a punitive War on Drugs has swept
thousands of marginalized women
into the criminal justice system,
Human Rights
The actualization of human rights,
including the right to adequate
housing, must be considered part of
the “peace” referred to in SDG 16.
In Leilani Farha’s report Access to
justice for the right to housing, the
Special Rapporteur on adequate
housing asserts the roots of the
global housing crisis to be “in a
crisis in access to justice because
without access to justice, housing
is not properly recognized, under-
stood or addressed as a human
right.”105 Further supporting this,
she states: “millions who live in
homelessness or unacceptable living
conditions have no place where
they can claim their right to hous-
ing when States have failed to pro-
gressively realize the right, imposed
forced evictions, or criminalized
those who live in homelessness or
in informal housing.”106 The Con-
vention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) displays the relevancy of
SDG 16 to Family Homelessness
and rights surrounding housing,
Article 27 “1. States Parties recog-
nize the right of every child to a
standard of living adequate for the
child’s physical, mental, spiritual,
moral and social development. 2.
The parent(s) or others responsible
for the child have the primary
responsibility to secure, within their
abilities and financial capacities, the
conditions of living necessary for for which punishments are allotted.
the child’s development. 3. States Being separated from one’s children
Parties, in accordance with national for non-violent crimes and especial-
conditions and within their means, ly crimes of necessity is cruel, inhu-
shall take appropriate measures to man and degrading - and is a pun-
assist parents and others responsible ishment not only for the mothers
for the child to implement this right but families and communities as
and shall in case of need provide wholes. We must stop homeless-
material assistance and support ness/housing insecurity and the in-
programmes, particularly with tersecting causes and issues in order
regard to nutrition, clothing and to reduce the perceived need for
housing…”107 Systemic failures, in- such responses. The UNCRC and
cluding the lack of access to justice UN 2030 Agenda provide guidance
processes, criminalization of the for action. UNCRC Article 19 in-
poor and forced evictions take cites State Parties to take compre-
primary caregivers away from their hensive measures to protect children
ability and capacity to fulfill such a from abuses also explicitly requires,
responsibility. Additional relevant “...effective procedures for the
rights are specified in the UNDHR: establishment of social programmes
Article 10 “Everyone is entitled in to provide necessary support for the
full equality to a fair and public child and for those who have the
hearing by an independent and im- care of the child, as well as for other
partial tribunal, in the determina- forms of prevention and for identi-
tion of his rights and obligations fication, reporting, referral, investi-
and of any criminal charge against gation, treatment and follow-up of
him,” and Article 5 “No one shall be instances of child maltreatment
subjected to torture or to cruel, in- described heretofore, and, as appro-
human or degrading treatment or priate, for judicial involvement.”109
punishment.”108 The last-mentioned SDG 16 Target 16.9, “provide legal
article should be considered in dis- identity for all, including birth
cussion of the feminization of incar- registration, by 2030,”110 reflects
ceration and gendered nature of the importance of human visibility
poverty, as mothers may be put to the state.
in positions and conditions that
encourage or demand criminal acts
Kedy Kristal, Policy Officer at
T
estimony Women’s Council for Domestic and
Family Violence Services, Australia
There are a lot of vulnerabilities The mental health systems

with the issue of poverty. There’s and drug and alcohol services
also the issue of systemic don’t have a very good under-
violence that women face when standing of domestic and fami-
they try to access systems that ly violence, they have a really
are supposed to help them. good understanding of the work
So the experience sometimes of that they do, but they often fail
even going to get a restraining to see the intersectionality
order or going to family court around domestic and family
to try and get contact orders violence. So a woman might be
that protect their children, and supported for her drug and
finding that their ex-partner, alcohol issues but she doesn’t
who often is working and has get a comprehensive service, so
access to pay for a lawyer, is then she has to go to another
actually using the system to service to get a bit more of a
re-abuse them. And then, you service from there. And there’s a
know, they either end up having lack of cohesion between the
either 50-50 contact with the services to actually [address
children or they actually use them]...The government agen-
their children to the perpetrator cies are siloed, but even non-
of the violence. So there’s a lot governmental services they’re
of women experiencing a lot quite siloed...it’s a difficult system
of distress around the systems problem to navigate.
and the courts and justice...
Note: Kedy participated in an interview with UNANIMA International
Responder does not work through casework
alone. MLRC client experiences
Rebecca Keatinge ground our policy work. MLRC
Managing Solicitor at Mercy Law has worked with many homeless
Resource Center (MLRC), Ireland families and recently published a
report on their lived experiences.
Founded in 2009, Mercy Law
In our policy work, MLRC advo-
Resource Centre (MLRC) is an
cates for change in laws, policies
independent law centre and regis-
and attitudes which adversely
tered charity based in Dublin,
impact our client group. MLRC
Ireland, which provides free legal
works to strengthen the capacity
advice and representation to people
and decision-making of institutions
who are homeless, or at risk of
engaged in housing provision to
homelessness. As a community law
ensure they act fairly and transpar-
centre, MLRC enables access to
ently, as SDG16 necessitates.
justice for thousands of vulnerable
individuals in housing crisis. MLRC
A
Acknowledging the role civil society, childcare services and educational
the private sector, and citizens play in opportunities
advocacy for resolving issues of • Collection of disaggregated data
peace, justice and strong institutions for Women’s incarceration and
in the context of Family Homeless- poverty, as well as Family Home-
ness, we recommend: lessness and displacement
• Inclusion of the public, and espe- • Promotion of universal birth reg-
cially vulnerable peoples in the istration in order to mitigate prob-
design and administration of in- lems in access to services and
stitutions. Consider the following justice, and other rights through
principle: “nothing about us with- the guarantee of a state-recog-
out us” nized legal identity
•
Increased access to the labor • State adoption of legislation that
economy for women, and relatedly makes domestic violence illegal
increased access to affordable
P
We believe the following policy protect women and children, and
recommendations are essential to the use of trauma-informed care
addressing and preventing Family within their services
Homelessness, and are applicable at • Investment in accurate civil regis-
the local, national and international tration systems and implementa-
levels. We encourage: tion of birth registration policies
•
Where necessary, adoption of at the national level, with guided
laws prohibting violence against and monitored actions at the
women, and global enforcement local levels
of laws • Additions to census questionnaires
•
Implementation of preventative to ensure nations measure home-
measures to reduce abuses and vio- less women, children and families
lence against women and children, • Decriminalization of people expe-
including quality education and af- riencing homelessness and poverty,
fordable childcare, with simulta- and removing barriers in access to
nous enforcement of laws which justice for these groups
Resources
UNICEF, Birth Registration for Every Child by 2030: Are we on track?,
https://www.unicef.org/media/62981/file/Birth-registration-for-every-child-
by-2030.pdf
Medium with United Nations Development Programme, No Development
Without Safety for All: How the SDGs address violence against women,
https://medium.com/@UNDP/no-development-without-safety-for-all-aefe2d74a653.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Handbook on Women and
Imprisonment 2nd edition, with reference to the United Nations Rules for the
Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women
Offenders (The Bangkok Rules),
https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/women-and-
imprisonment.pdf.
Conclusion
Molly Gerke
Executive Assistant at
Adopted by all 193 United Nations The eradication of Homelessness
Member States in 2015, the UN is integral in achieving the 2030
2030 Agenda provides us with a Agenda and ensuring individuals
common blueprint to ensure peace and families are able to fully enjoy
and prosperity for people and the the Human Rights they are entitled
planet, through Sustainable Devel- to. Agreed upon by experts, both
opment now and into the future.111 academic and individuals/families
While progress has been made, we with a lived experience, this senti-
still have a long way to go. Achiev- ment rings true and is detailed
ing the UN 2030 Agenda requires throughout this publication. Among
the address of Family Homeless- the many actions that need to be
ness, a subject that has thus far been taken in order to ensure its eradica-
overlooked, deemphasized, and tion, is a dialogue that promotes the
misunderstood. At the heart of the view of treating homelessness as
Agenda is the 17 SDGs, perhaps what it is: firstly a human rights
the most urgent call for global and civil rights issue and secondly
action in history. Prevalent in the a structural and systemic issue.
global north and the global south, The need for this paradigm shift is
action by all countries in a global evident and long overdue globally.
partnership is needed if we are It is only when we come together
to achieve all that the landmark with one common voice, that we
agenda seeks to achieve. will ensure a future that is just for
all people and the planet.
As noted by the Danish Institute
for Human Rights, more than This publication is an original
90% of the SDGs’ targets are linked source that may be used in the
to international human rights, as promotion of human rights, to
laid out in the Universal Declara- the benefit not only of families
tion for Human Rights and inter- suffering already, but also those
national labour standards.112 As vulnerable to homelessness and
well as being a cross-cutting theme housing insecurity. It provides rea-
across the SDGs, Human rights son, analysis and recommends ac-
are a dominant theme in all UN tions on a multilateral approach to
policies and programmes and offer addressing Family Homelessness
guidance for implementation on in the context of the SDGs and
a number of them. They are funda- contributes significantly to the
mental in the key areas of peace realization of the 2030 Agenda for
and security, development, human- Sustainable development.
itarian assistance, and economic
and social affairs.113
Recommendations
The address and prevention of Family Homelessness is critically important

to UNANIMA International. In response to the interlinkages between
sustainable development, human rights, and Family Homelessness presented,
we give the following recommendations:
• We encourage Member States to fully recognise the commitments they

have made to date through the 2030 Agenda, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and the Convention on the Right of the Child among other
United Nations Documents and actively work towards achieving them;
• We encourage implementation of the New Urban Agenda using a Human
Rights-Based Approach;
• We encourage Nation States to address the nature of family homelessness
i.e. specifically policies that meet the unique needs of women and children,
through gender sensitive policies and resource allocation;
• We encourage Nation States to implement Housing Led Initiatives;
• We encourage Nation States to Provide Adequate Housing with Support
Services for families to address the trauma of homelessness in an effort to
break the cycle of generational homelessness;
• We encourage Nation States to Expand local government support for the
development of affordable family-sized housing;
• We encourage Nation States to Implementation of Social Protection
policies and programs, specifically ones that ensure access to housing and
support systems. Such policies and programs enable Women, Children
and the family to break the poverty cycle/ reduce inequalities;
• We encourage Nation States to push for government policies that finance,
promote and invest in civil society and private sector partnerships with organ-
isations who are currently servicing the needs of the Homeless population;
• We encourage Nation States to make policy changes to secure flexible
funding for implementation of recommendations;
• We encourage Nation States to actively collect disaggregated data on Home-
lessness, specifically in relation to Family homelessness, women and children.
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Acknowledgements
UNANIMA International Interns

Rashmi Mattappally
and Michelle Brodrick
New York University

(International Relations Master’s Capstone
students; Professor Michael Williams)
Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness
SisterLove, Inc.
Women’s Council, Australia
My Sister’s Place
Sophia Housing Ireland
Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing,

Leilani Farha, and Julietta Perucca,
Senior Aid to the Rapporteur
Contributors with lived experience of

homelessness and housing insecurity
Contributing Analysts:
Paula Braitstein, Winifred Doherty, Preety Gadhoke, Katelyn
Jones, Damien Quinn, Judith Ryder, Chris Williams
Responders:
Solrun Engilbertsdottir, Cynthia A. Mathew CJ,
Dr. Maureen Doherty, Rebecca Keatinge, HE Samuelu
Laloniu, Tony O’Riordan, Hantamalala Rafalimanana
UNANIMA International Board
a publication of
UNANIMA
Internatonal
at the
United Nations
Research Coordinator
Jean Quinn DW
Executive Director
Assistant Coordinator
Molly Gerke
Executive Assistant
Lead Researcher
Kirin R. Taylor
Research Fellow
Administration
Eliza Gelfand
Administrative Assistant
UNANIMA international
Graphic Designer
Julie Conway
757 Third Avenue, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10017
USA
+1 (929) 259-2105
[email protected]
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Family

UNANIMA International is a evolving focus on women and

Created by American University’s online

Ensure healthy lives

Target 3.4 “By 2030, reduce by one third

“The premise is housing is healthcare.”

Homelessness? Frankly it’s de- health conditions it doesn’t

Note: Brianna was a participant in UNANIMA International’s

Ensure inclusive and

“A good education provides the best chance

I attended primary level at a state of emergency on Ambae

Note: Keisy submitted a written statement to UNANIMA International

Achieve gender equality

“Women’s equal right to housing must be ensured

Maybe my child could have tional, it’s the one thing in my

Note: Liz participated in a formal interview with UNANIMA International

Reduce inequality within

“There are people who go to work every single day and

SDG 10 Target 4 “Adopt policies, The neoliberal political economy

Note: Marietta submitted a written statement

Making cities and

When we speak about signifi- learning. In the afternoon I

Take urgent action to

“In the typical family [where I work in rural El Salvador] the

Climate change is called a

Graphic by Paula Braitstein, PhD with UNANIMA International

Mary was born in 1978 in Kaku- siblings with an uncle. As there

Note: Mary participated in a formal interview with Paula Braitstein, PhD

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies

“We must become more mindful of the many

There are a lot of vulnerabilities The mental health systems

Note: Kedy participated in an interview with UNANIMA International

The address and prevention of Family Homelessness is critically important

• We encourage Member States to fully recognise the commitments they

1. Golden, Renny. War on the Family: AJPH.2013.301727; Turnbull, Jeffrey,

homeless and marginalized persons in 983 - 984. World Health Organiza-

24.  N General Assembly, Convention on

33.  nited Nations. “Gender Equality

43.  ood and Agriculture Organization

55.  nited Nations. “Goal 10: Reduce

66.  lston, Philip. “Statement on Visit

87. I nternational Organization for 93. Ibid.

98.  ajstura, A. (2018, June). “States of

UNANIMA International Interns

New York University

Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness

Women’s Council, Australia

Sophia Housing Ireland

Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing,

Contributors with lived experience of

UNANIMA International Board

757 Third Avenue, 21st Floor

unanimaintl UNANIMAIntl unanimainternational

You might also like

“A good education provides the best chance

“Women’s equal right to housing must be ensured

“There are people who go to work every single day and

“In the typical family [where I work in rural El Salvador] the

“We must become more mindful of the many

• We encourage Member States to fully recognise the commitments they

1. Golden, Renny. War on the Family: AJPH.2013.301727; Turnbull, Jeffrey,

24. N General Assembly, Convention on

33. nited Nations. “Gender Equality

43. ood and Agriculture Organization

55. nited Nations. “Goal 10: Reduce

66. lston, Philip. “Statement on Visit

87. I nternational Organization for 93. Ibid.

98. ajstura, A. (2018, June). “States of