Dimensions of Housing Adequacy

Adequate food, shelter and clothing are the basis of the hierarchy of human needs.¹

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms access to adequate housing as a vital part of human rights.² Housing fulfils the basic human physical need for shelter but also satisfies social requirements. A house provides a centre for an individual and the basis for family life, emerging as an important symbol of social standing and aspirations. Thus the fulfilment of housing needs is a complex process.

Where inadequacies exist in housing, they manifest themselves via readily recognisable elements; these are the interrelated dimensions of housing adequacy (as described by Statistics New Zealand - click on a dimension for more detail):

¹ Abraham Maslow, a noted American psychologist, developed a hierarchy of needs that comprises five levels. Level (1) is physiological, consisting of those things that keep us alive, food, water and shelter. These lower needs must be satisfied before the following higher needs can be achieved: (2) Safety and Security, (3) Belonging and Social, (4) Esteem and Status, (5) Self Realisation.

² Article 25. 1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Article 17. 1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. 2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.