The right to adequate housing: What it entails

Tadiwa Mudzimu, Audrey Mberi, and Paulo João Paulo

When many hear the word “housing”, they think of a building with walls and a roof. But the right to adequate housing means much more than that. It is a fundamental human right that protects human dignity and supports personal development.

Understanding what makes housing “adequate” helps us see why many people around the world struggle to enjoy this basic right. The right to adequate housing is recognised in international law and in Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution. Section 28 of the

Constitution says that the government must take reasonable steps, using available resources, to ensure that every person has access to adequate shelter. This matches standards set by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. But what exactly does “adequate housing” mean? Housing experts and human rights organisations have identified seven key elements that make housing adequate, and each element is essential for a home to truly support a decent life.

Adequate housing means security of tenure. This means that people have legal protection against being forced out of their homes.

They should not fear sudden eviction without warning or fair process. Security of tenure gives people the confidence to invest in their homes and communities, knowing they will not lose everything overnight. In Zimbabwe, many people living in informal settlements lack this security.

They occupy land without official permission, making them vulnerable to eviction at any time. Without legal recognition of their right to stay, families cannot plan for the future or make improvements to their living conditions. Adequate housing requires access to essential services and infrastructure.

This includes safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, electricity, and waste collection. It also means having access to building materials that are safe and appropriate for the local climate.

Without these basics, a house cannot properly support health and daily living. In Zimbabwe’s informal settlements, many families lack running water or adequate ablution facilities.

They may use unsafe materials to build their homes, putting themselves at risk during storms or fires. The absence of these services creates health hazards and makes daily life unnecessarily difficult for residents who must spend hours collecting water or finding ways to dispose of waste safely.

 

Housing must be affordable. People should be able to pay for their housing without giving up other basic needs like food, healthcare, or education. Housing costs should not push families into poverty. In Zimbabwe’s cities, some families are forced into informal settlements as legal housing options may be expensive for them.

This affordability crisis means that even when people work hard, they cannot access the security and stability that comes with adequate housing.

Adequate housing must be habitable. This means it must provide adequate space for the people living there and protect them from the elements. Homes should have proper ventilation, keep out rain and wind, and maintain comfortable temperatures. Overcrowding is a major problem in many settlements, with multiple families sometimes sharing small spaces. Poor construction leaves homes dangerously hot in summer and cold in winter, affecting the health and comfort of residents, especially children and elderly people who are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

Housing must be accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable members of society. People with disabilities, elderly individuals, and others with specific needs must be able to access and use housing facilities. This includes features like ramps for wheelchairs, appropriate bathroom facilities, and designs that accommodate different physical abilities. Zimbabwe’s National Human Settlements Policy recognises this need by reserving 10 percent of housing for people with disabilities, although implementation remains inconsistent. Without proper accessibility, people with disabilities are excluded from living independently and participating fully in community life. The location of the housing matters greatly. Adequate housing must be situated to allow access to employment options, healthcare facilities, schools, and other social services. Housing that is too far from these necessities creates hardship and extra costs for residents. Many informal settlements in Zimbabwe are located on the edges of cities, far from job centres and services, making daily life difficult for residents who must spend significant time and money traveling to work or accessing healthcare. Poor location can trap people in poverty by limiting their opportunities and increasing their expenses.

 

Housing must be culturally adequate. This means it must respect and accommodate the cultural identity and way of life of the people who live there. Different communities have different needs regarding family structure, social interaction, and cultural practices. Housing policies must consider these factors rather than imposing one standard design on everyone. When housing ignores cultural needs, it can damage community bonds and make residents feel disconnected from their homes.

Female-headed households make up a significant portion of the urban poor. They often lack the financial resources to access adequate housing in the formal market, yet their specific needs for safe, secure housing are essential for family wellbeing. Without adequate housing, women struggle to protect and provide for their children, and their ability to participate in economic activities is severely limited. Recognising housing as a fundamental right rather than simply a commodity is essential. When we understand that adequate housing requires security, services, affordability, habitability, accessibility, good location, and cultural respect, we see the full scale of the challenge. Only by addressing all these elements together can Zimbabwe and other countries across the globe make real progress towards ensuring every person has a place they can truly call home.

*Audrey Mberi, Tadiwa Mudzimu and Paulo João Paulo are International Relations and Diplomacy students at Africa University.

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