Here you’ll find letters sent directly to governments and private actors by The Shift, detailing situations that may constitute an alleged violation of the human right to housing. In cases where a reply was received, they will be titled ‘Official Response.’
In an urgent letter sent to Mayor Cherelle Parker on December 9th, 2024, Philadelphia’s Chinatown community leaders and advocates have raised profound concerns about the proposed 76 Place arena development. The letter details the community’s sustained opposition to the project, which threatens to fundamentally alter the neighborhood’s social, cultural, and economic landscape.
Community members argue that the current arena planning process has systematically excluded their voices, leaving them without meaningful opportunity to participate in decisions that will directly impact their neighborhood. The proposed arena, set to be constructed in the Fashion District adjacent to Chinatown, poses significant risks to the community’s cultural heritage, housing stability, and long-term well-being.
The letter to the Mayor articulates the community’s primary concerns, including potential displacement, cultural disruption, and the erosion of a historic neighborhood that has been a vital center of Philadelphia’s Asian American community for generations.
On 24 November 2023 the Global Director of The Shift and the Executive Director of the Women’s National Housing & Homelessness Network wrote to Mayor Guthrie and their City Council to express concern over the Nov. 16th proposed motion “Encampments within the Downtown,” and his revised motion Nov. 22nd motion, “Encampments and Safe Spaces for All.”
Since 2021, we have been working with the Norwegian Refugee Council in “Area C” of the West Bank in Palestine to envision a planning regime that – with the support of the Palestinian Authority and the international community – would lead to Palestinian development, laying the foundation for statehood.
On August 11, 2023, we issued an urgent letter expressing grave concerns about potential human rights violations in Philadelphia’s Chinatown to 76 Devcorp. The letter focuses on the contentious proposal to construct a new stadium within the heart of Chinatown, emphasizing that this is not just an ordinary infrastructure project, but a threat to the community. The letter further details the disproportionate impact that the construction of a new arena in Philadelphia’s Fashion District would have on the lives, livelihoods, and cultural practices of the Asian American community who rely on Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
This threat not only endangers the existence of Chinatown but also mirrors the challenges faced by marginalized communities across the city.
This urgent letter details The Shift’s deep concern of the City of Barrie’s recent policy motion and bylaw amendments that criminalize and further stigmatize those living in homelessness, as well as those trying to support them.
In January of 2022 we wrote a letter to local government officials in Canada, urging them to take swift action to protect people living in homelessness from below-freezing temperatures and a new strain of COVID-19.
“In the early morning of the 18th August 2021, police and bylaw officers were called to the site of the Spring Garden Road library and Horseshoe Island Park and informed residents that they were required to leave their homes immediately or they would have their possessions confiscated and would be arrested.”
Note of concern to the City of Hamilton, after the City announced its intent to revoke its Bylaw Enforcement Protocol relating to homeless encampments, leaving hundreds of people at immediate risk of eviction.
Letter of Concern from The Shift regarding the proposed eviction of residents, and demolition and redevelopment of homes, at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, Oulton, Yorkshire, UK, by Pemberstone Ltd.
Pemberstone Ltd were provided with advanced sight of this letter to afford them with the opportunity to comment on these concerns prior to publication. No reply had been received at the time of publication but should one subsequently be it will be published on The Shift’s resources webpage.
The Shift is concerned that on 28 June 2021, a trial in La Ciudad de la Justicia de Barcelona will try Jaime Palomera, a tenants union leader in Sindicat de Llogateres Barcelona and two tenants for peacefully protesting violations of the tenants’ right to housing. We urge the Government of Spain to reconsider these charges and remind them that everyone has the right to promote and strive for the protection of fundamental human rights, including the right to housing, without retaliation or fear thereof. This is essential to building and maintaining strong, open, and democratic societies.
A comment on the current situation in Sheikh Jarrah by the former UN Special Rapporteur in the Right to Adequate Housing.
Letter of concern from The Shift to the South African Minister of Human Settlements, regarding a failure to provide rent relief to tenants affected by the pandemic 8 months after announcing a rent relief scheme. Consequently, tenants who have fallen into arrears have been subject to threats and/or intimidation.
Image courtesy of BBC.
The Shift is deeply concerned by information received regarding the termination of the Filoxenia temporary housing programme in Greece that has left over 2,000 refugees without access to adequate housing. Consequently, hundreds of families are now sleeping outside, and more are likely to be driven out in the coming days.
Image Courtesy of France 24.
La Directora Global de The Shift, Leilani Farha, urge a la Jefa de Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico que implemente una moratoria que incluya todos los desalojos durante la pandemia y durante un tiempo razonable después de la misma.
Letter from Ylva Johansson (Member of the European Commission) regarding the Moria Refugee Camp fire
Letter of Concern from The Shift regarding conditions in the Moria Reception and Identification Centre, Lesbos, Greece, the fire at the Centre on 8th September 2020, and the conditions at the emergency refugee camp at Kara Tepe, Lesbos.
El desalojo forzoso de la toma de Guernica en el municipio Presidente Perón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, llevado a cabo con violencia el 29 de octubre del 2020, constituye una grave violación de las obligaciones de Argentina en virtud del derecho internacional de los derechos humanos, en particular del derecho a la vivienda.
Letter from Hon. Richard Wynne MP, Minister for Housing with the Department for Heath and Human Services, Victoria, Australia, dated 18th October 2020, in response to The Shift’s Letter of Concern regarding the hard lockdown imposed on nine public tower blocks in the city of Melbourne.
Response to a Letter of Concern issued in August 2020, from the Office of MP Gabrielle Williams.
Response to a Letter of Concern issued in August 2020, from the Offices of the Minister for Health and the Minister for Ambulance Services.
Regarding hard lockdown orders in the North Melbourne and Flemington estates in Melbourne, Victoria, and that 9 residential tower blocks, housing approximately 3,000 social housing residents who are predominantly from migrant and refugee communities, were subject to an immediate lockdown without due notice, enforced by approximately 500 police officers.
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