Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Mr. Balakrishnan Rajagopal
Statement Delivered by Delaney Felker
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council – 49th Session
March 17, 2022
Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Special Rapporteur.
The United States champions promotion, protection, and respect for human rights in housing policies consistent with Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is important that adequate housing be available to all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, sex characteristics, indigeneity, disability, or religion.
The United States has taken action to address racial discrimination in our housing market, including by launching an interagency effort to address inequity in home appraisals and allocating over $19 million USD in 2021 for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program to address discriminatory housing practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the United States also expanded housing protections to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The international community should also provide durable solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons, including those displaced by conflict and the effects of climate change, particularly women and girls in all their diversity and other vulnerable populations.
Special Rapporteur: How can the international community address the housing needs of IDPs and refugees displaced by Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine?
Thank you.
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