Housing is a ‘fundamental human right’ says Commission

Housing is the building block on which a host of human rights are based on according the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

Chair of the Commission, Professor Angela O’Hagan, and her team met with the Castlemilk Housing and Human Rights Lived Experience Group to explore a range of issues facing the area and to look at how it could support the Group.

‘Housing is a fundamental human right. It is a gateway to other human rights it offers safety and security giving individuals the opportunity to pursue other basic human rights like educational attainment, work and wellbeing,’ said Professor O’Hagan.

‘All these rights are tied into having access to good quality, affordable housing.

‘The work going on here in Castlemilk is really innovative, and the involvement of the housing associations seems sector leading.’

The Lived Experience Group was set up to ensure that local people understand that housing is a human right and what it means within their everyday lives.

The Group is made up of Board members from Ardenglen, Craigdale, Cassiltoun and North View Housing Associations all in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow.

The Group raised some issues that were impacting on the quality of life in Castlemilk, in particular the lack of access to a supermarket - despite Scottish Government money being allocated to help secure one.

Chair of the Lived Experience Board, Anna Stuart said:

‘Having access to affordable, fresh food is undoubtedly a human right and one that the 14,000 people of Castlemilk are being denied, despite promises from the authorities that one would be secured. I’m delighted that the Commission is taking up this cause on our behalf.’

The Commission is an independent public body, accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

Its purpose is to promote awareness, understanding and respect for all human rights – economic, social, cultural, civil and political – to everyone in the country and to encourage best practice in human rights delivery.

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Picture shows: Chair of the Lived Experience Board, Anna Stuart and Scottish Human Rights Commission Chair, Professor Angela O’Hagan at the meeting in Castlemilk.

Editors notes:

1.      More information about the Scottish Human Rights Commission: Home | Scottish Human Rights Commission

2.      Find out about the Commission’s Strategic Plan.

3.      Media enquiries for the Scottish Human Rights Commission via email: media@scottishhumanrights.com