The right to housing is essential for exercising numerous other rights, acknowledged as a fundamental right for everyone in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Housing and shelter, extending beyond being a standalone right, carry diverse meanings.

Article 57 of our Constitution emphasizes that "The State shall take measures to meet the need for housing within a planning framework considering city characteristics and environmental conditions, supporting collective housing initiatives." Constitutions in many nations similarly enshrine housing as a right. It transcends being merely a shelter; housing serves as an investment for one group, addressing the basic needs of another. It's a social right, necessitating tangible action by the state—a core element of the social state.

Deepening Crisis

The social state shoulders the responsibility of meeting people's shelter needs, even under minimal conditions. The right to housing is integral to other rights; without it, rights like housing inviolability and health cease to exist. This foundational right is underscored in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is guaranteed in the European Social Charter.

Insufficient housing provision leads to issues ranging from unproductive labor to epidemics and crime, impacting not only those lacking adequate housing but the broader society. Housing isn't just a human need and right; it holds economic significance. Recognized as a locomotive sector of the economy alongside construction and related industries, housing boasts positive effects on multiple sectors, serving as a labor-intensive employment tool. Thus, housing policies are pivotal public policy areas for the economy.

Increasing House Prices

Since the start of 2022, soaring general prices have led to a substantial increase in housing costs, burdening low-income individuals who struggle to afford rent, let alone property ownership. In Turkey, the last two years have witnessed landlords exploiting the state-capped 25% rent increase, resulting in disputes and even fatal altercations.

If, despite a century of the Republic regime's existence, the issue of healthy and earthquake-proof housing persists, blame falls not on the Republic but on the political preferences and missteps of decades-long rulers. The solution lies in both central and local governments, particularly social democratic municipalities, undertaking projects and investments to address housing problems. The country's social and geographical context, seismic reality, and social democratic principles underscore this imperative.