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

 

The Concluding remarks of the UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights on performance of Norway on social and economic rights  include a call to tackle discrimination in the housing market and homelessness.

Regarding persons with an immigrant background, the CESCR emphasises that these persons are continually discriminated against in the housing market and are over-represented among “the disadvantaged in the housing market” (arts. 2 (2), 6 and 11).

Thus, it recommends that the State party take measures in order to address the discrimination faced by persons with an immigrant background in accessing housing. 

 

Concerning the right to housing, the observations underline the effort made by Norway, highlighted by the national strategy for housing and support services (2014-2020). However, the Committee is still concerned about the challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals and groups in accessing housing. It underscores particularly:

 

-The chronic shortage of social housing in many municipalities;

 

- The lack of housing with accessibility for persons with disabilities;

 

- Expensive private rental housing, which is often of poor quality, and unpredictable terms of tenancy and arbitrary termination of terms;

 

- The high number of long-term homeless persons (art. 11).

 

As for the national strategy for housing and support services, mentioned above, the Committee insists on the need to fully implement it and to assess its effectiveness. The aim is to better respond to the housing needs of disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and families.

 

It recommends particularly to:

 

- Improve the availability and provision of municipal low-cost social housing units to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups;

 

- Increase the provision of housing, including social housing, accessible by persons with disabilities;

 

- Increase the availability of affordable rental housing and regulate the private rental housing market, including by controlling rent increases, strengthening minimum quality standards for rental housing, and protecting tenants from irregular terms of tenancy and arbitrary termination of terms;

 

- Strengthen measures to reduce homelessness, including targeted measures to address long-term homelessness.

 

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