A/67/286 programmes to ensure that the percentage of housing-related costs is commensurate with income levels and that the attainment and satisfaction of other basic needs is not threatened or compromised. States are also required constantly to monitor the impact of their housing policies on the realization of the right to adequate housing and to control unreasonable increases in housing costs. 22 17. When designing, implementing and monitoring housing policies, States must ensure that they not only promote access to affordable housing, but also access to housing that is habitable, accessible and adequately located, and ensure the availability of services (such as health, education and welfare), means of livelihood, building materials, facilities and infrastructure, and security of tenure. States must ensure that housing policies are non-discriminatory and do not increase existing inequalities. When designing housing finance policies, States must pay particular attention to the rights of the poor and disadvantaged. Policies and legislation should be designed to bridge inequality gaps and to ensure access to affordable housing for the poor and marginalized and not benefit already advantaged social groups at the expense of others. 23 18. The obligation to ensure the realization of the right to adequate housing does not oblige Governments to provide publicly built housing for all. Although the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed the view that in some cases the State is obliged to provide social housing or low-rental units for lowincome households, 24 States are encouraged to employ a variety of housing policies, 25 provided that “measures being taken are sufficient to realize the right for every individual in the shortest possible time in accordance with the maximum of available resources”. 26 19. States are required constantly to monitor housing policies and assess their compatibility with the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing. When a policy proves detrimental to the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing (for example, when housing policies lead to land speculation, increase of homelessness, discrimination or affordability crises), 27 States should adjust and rectify their policies and programmes accordingly. 28 __________________ 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 12-45918 Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing, para 10, which can also be seen as authoritative guidance for the interpretation of the right to an adequate standard of living referred to in other international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ibid., para 11. For example, in the Committee’s concluding observations on India (E/C.12/IND/CO/5), paras. 30 and 70; Lithuania (E/C.12/1/Add.96 ), para. 47; Kenya (E/C.12/KEN/CO/1), para. 30; the United Kingdom (E/C.12/GBR/CO/5), para. 29; and France (E/C.12/FRA/CO/3), para. 44. Concluding observations on Cyprus (E/C.12/CYP/CO/5), para 21 and Nicaragua (E/C.12/NIC/CO/4), paras. 24-25. General comment No. 4 (1991), para. 14. See the concluding observations on Argentina (E/C.12/ARG/CO/3). General comment No. 4 (1991), para 11. 7