Concluding observations of UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights on performance of Germany

 

Concluding remarks UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights on performance of Germany on CESCR include strong call to tackle homelessness more effectively. 

 

Right to housing

1. While noting the announcement that the budget allocation to social housing would be increased in the future, the Committee is concerned at the very high level of rents and rent increases; the acute shortage of affordable housing, coupled with the decreased number of social rental apartments; and the decreasing and low level of public spending on housing. It is particularly concerned at the very low threshold for housing reimbursement in the basic social benefits, which has led many families on basic social benefits in metropolitan areas to cut down other basic expenses to pay rent or in some cases rendered them homeless. It is further concerned at reports that the number of persons lacking adequate housing has constantly increased, reaching 1.2 million. The Committee regrets the absence of official data on the prevalence of homelessness and the lack of shelters to accommodate homeless persons. (arts. 9 and 11)
2. The Committee recommends that the State party:
   
   1. Increase the provision of affordable housing units, especially for the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups;
   2. Continue to increase the level of public funding on the housing sector;
   3. Increase the threshold for housing reimbursement under the basic social benefits to meet the market price;
   4. Reduce the level of homelessness and ensure adequate provision of reception facilities, including emergency shelters and hostels, as well as social rehabilitation centres;
   5. Collect data, disaggregated by gender, ethnicity and other relevant criteria, on the scope and the extent of homelessness in the State party and establish an effective means of monitoring the situation of homelessness;
   6. Take appropriate measures to counteract the impact of speculation in urban residential accommodation on access to affordable housing.      

 

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