Deputies endorse the changes to the Housing Law; goes to senate

The changes to the Housing Law They are advancing in their legislative process, since in the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies the opinion with a draft decree that reforms this regulation was unanimously approved and thus, it is closer to integrating the term into it “adequate housing“.

The process, which has taken more than a year for its final approval, will now be in the field of the Senate of the Republic, in order to finally include this concept in the regulations and thus guarantee the following elements to the occupants of a living place:

security of tenure. The project defines this concept as the conditions that guarantee legal security regarding property or legitimate possession, against forced eviction, harassment or other threats.

Availability of services. Within the regulations it is established that a home must have permanent access to drinking water, energy for cooking food, heating and lighting; as well as adequate sanitary facilities, food storage, waste disposal, drainage and emergency services.

affordability. This concept refers to the fact that the expense associated with housing must not exceed 30% of the household income or jeopardize the enjoyment of other basic satisfactions or the exercise of their human rights.

Accessibility. According to the project, this concept is related to the design and materiality of the house and must consider the specific needs of disadvantaged and marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities.

Location. According to the project, the house must be located in a place that allows access to employment options, health services, schools, day care centers and other social services and facilities and outside of risk or contaminated areas.

cultural appropriateness. With the approval of the project, it will be established that the way in which the house is built, the construction materials used and the policies on which they are supported must allow the expression of the cultural identity and diversity of the house.

In accordance with what was approved by the Deputies, to date the definition of adequate housingTherefore, if approved, ultimately, it would favor the correct interpretation of the rules on the matter, in order to consider the elements that comprise it and thus guarantee the human right to adequate housing.

“Never again in our country will we have houses of social interest without basic public services such as drinking water, drainage and lighting. Never again houses built with poor quality materials that are damaged or flooded in the face of inclement weather, never again houses with uncertainty in land tenure,” said Carolina Beauregard Martínez of the PAN during the presentation and analysis of the project in plenary session. of the Chamber of Deputies.