UN to look at U.S. housing conditions
A special envoy from the UN Commission on Human Rights will tour the U.S. to review housing conditions. John Dimsdale reports.
The United Nations symbol at UN headquarters. (Nicholas Roberts / Getty Images)
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TEXT OF STORY
Bill Radke: A special envoy from the UN Commission on Human Rights is touring the United States this week and next to review housing conditions here. This is the first time a UN fact-finding mission has come to this country. From Washington, John Dimsdale tells us what the UN is looking for.
John Dimsdale: As the UN's advocate for adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik is visiting seven U.S. cities -- looking at foreclosure rates and the availability of low-income shelters. Usually UN housing rights advocates are in countries like Romania or Cambodia. But Rolnik says the housing crisis in the U.S. bears closer scrutiny.
RAQUEL ROLNIK: Because of the specific link between the financial crisis and the issue of housing and especially housing for low-income people, a great interest raised to the situation of the United States.
The UN Commission for Human Rights did not send her to investigate specific violations of housing policies.
ROLNIK: But indeed I have received complaints on the demolition of public housing and the situation of the people that became homeless or live in a precarious situation.
She'll deliver a report on U.S. housing conditions in the spring -- before her next investigation in either Laos or Indonesia.
In Washington I'm John Dimsdale for Marketplace.
Comments
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From new orleans, LA, 10/29/2009
Hello bill bill
your remarks are not true,this mission is for everyone that inneed of housing in the US,this is not a race card,come out and support us,let do this together
they said the power is in the hand of the people let stand together and make a change,Housing is a Human Right,
10/29/2009
Concern over low-income people who had their homes foreclosed my foot! Their concern is for non-whites who had their homes foreclosed.
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