A/HRC/25/54/Add.2 73. In May 2009, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed concern that inequality in housing policy in North Belfast continued to affect the Catholic community (E/C.12/GBR/CO/5, para. 29). The Special Rapporteur recognizes the efforts of the Government to address these challenges. However, during her visit, she observed that long-standing issues related to inequality continue to require concerted efforts. She notes that concerns about differences in the way information is collected, disaggregated and presented have been raised.90 C. Migrants and Roma 74. The Special Rapporteur has also been made aware of the difficulties migrant workers, including those who are citizens of the European Union, face in gaining access to and securing adequate housing. According to recent discussions on a new bill not yet in force, all private landlords will be required to check the immigration status of their tenants, “to prevent those with no right to live in the UK from accessing private rented housing”.91 Landlords providing rented accommodation to undocumented migrants will incur civil penalties and will be required to review immigration status and provide reports thereon.92 75. According to the European Roma Rights Centre, on 19 July, about 80 Romanian Roma families were evicted from locations in Hendon and London. Some of those evicted accepted the offer of a flight back home; others refused and returned to their sites some days after. Allegedly, some belongings were confiscated and some Roma were even arrested. The Centre questions the proportionality and lawfulness of such action under European Union laws and regulations, as the persons who were evicted are citizens of a European Union State.93 VII. Conclusions and recommendations 76. The Special Rapporteur commends the United Kingdom for its history of ensuring that low- and middle-income households have access to adequate housing and have been protected from insecure tenure forms and poor housing conditions. People in the United Kingdom have a deeply anchored trust in their right to housing, regardless of income or other status. 77. Some of the policies and practices that played a role in ensuring access to affordable and well-located housing, facilitating enjoyment of the benefits of mixed neighborhoods in urban centres, and embedding housing in the social safety net serve as inspiration around the world. The Special Rapporteur praises the priority given to social and affordable housing by various Governments over time, including through public funding for specific housing-related policies. 78. It is against this background that the present situation ought to be assessed. According to the principle of progressive realization in the right to adequate housing, States are bound to provide an equal or better level of enjoyment of a particular right, taking special care to avoid unjustified retrogressive measures. This principle requires 90 91 92 93 See for instance Participation and the Practice of Rights, Equality Can’t Wait (2013), p. 15. See https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/249251/Overview_Im migration_Bill_Factsheet.pdf. The Immigration Bill is expected to be implemented from summer 2014 onwards. European Roma Rights Centre submission for this report. 19