A/69/274 implemented in a collaborative fashion with various levels of g overnment and relevant stakeholders. What is needed, as a starting point, is the articulation of key principles through which multiple policies and programmes can achieve a unified purpose and a coherent approach. The Special Rapporteur believes that a hum an rights approach to adequate housing and homelessness has much to offer in this regard and, if implemented, can be transformational, resulting in real change rather than a temporary fix. 71. In most States, housing and homelessness are treated as a matter of policy, not as a matter of human rights, with concomitant obligations on the part of national and subnational governments, judiciaries and other actors. The development of a national housing strategy can be a critical first step and an immediate obli gation in relation to the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing. The key components of a rights-based housing strategy, however, have yet to be fully articulated at the international level. 72. Through consultations and expert meetings with national and international housing rights experts, government officials, United Nations agencies, civil society representatives and parliamentarians, the Special Rapporteur will develop a thematic report in which to identify and elaborate on the key c haracteristics required of national housing strategies based on human rights. 73. As an adjunct to this work, the Special Rapporteur will also consider housing strategies in the context of post-disaster and post-conflict reconstruction. These issues have been at the heart of the work of the housing mandate holder in the past, and the Rapporteur is committed to continuing her engagement with key humanitarian actors whenever possible. D. Access to justice 74. Under international human rights law, 23 ensuring access to effective remedies for violations of human rights is a critical component of States ’ obligations, indispensable to the full enjoyment of such rights. Thus, as with other rights, States have a positive obligation to establish institutional mechanisms and systems at the national level to ensure that all individuals and groups can claim the right to adequate housing and seek effective remedies. 75. The Special Rapporteur wishes to learn more about how the right to adequate housing can be made the subject of effective complaints procedures in domestic law and can be better integrated into housing policies and programmes through rights based approaches. She is committed to working collaboratively with groups advocating for rights claimants, and with government officials, advocates, national human rights institutions, courts, housing policy decision makers and other stakeholders, to assist in meeting the challenges of access to justice and enhanced accountability in relation to all aspects of the right to adequate housing. 76. Within the international human rights system, with the recent advent of the optional protocols to several treaties, access to justice with respect to housing rights violations is now also a matter of international adjudication . The scope and content __________________ 23 14-58890 E/C.12/1998/24. 17/20