November 10, 2001    
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What is the minimum of shelter that society is required to provide for every human being?

Is society required to provide shelter for every human being? That concept has probably only originated in the last hundred years.

Jane, 62
West Linn
, OR   USA

It differs from society to society, but here in Lowell, MA - a place that is secure from all of the elements, adequately heated in the winter, has adequate indoor plumbing and electricity, enough room to stretch out comfortabley that the person can claim as their own, and is safe. A consistent shelter that can be depended upon and claimed as a residence while not the bare minimum would certainly be preferred.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA    USA

Depends on the human being, what they're reasonably capable of doing for themselves.

Alias Irrelevante

i dont get it? how much shelter a person should have? a warm house or a warm room at least, and a bed.

Karen2, 15
Boston
, MA   USA

Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International says that everyone who gets sleepy at night deserves a decent place in which to sleep. Modest, safe, dry, sturdy. That's the minimum.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA    USA

This is a tough call. I hate to think of people hungry or cold without a place to rest their head at night - but I read an interesting book called "Street People" years ago ... an in-depth study of so called bag-people. Many of the people we see in big cities literally living on the streets are doing so because they choose to do so. I don't think society should be completely responsible for housing everyone. There are many, many tools available for people to improve their lives out there; it's important for a society to continue to keep those means at the ready for anyone who needs or desires to use them. I do believe you can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink. We have to be responsible for OURSELVES to some degree - it's the essence of being a part of the human race.

Fisch, 46
Preston
, CT   USA

Long, long ago there used to be a distinction between the Dregs of Humanity and the Deserving Poor. There are people who need--and deserve--help with shelter. There are also people who make no effort to help themselves. If individuals want to give time and money to rehabilitate the Dregs of Humanity--and some of them probably can be rehabilitated--wonderful. Meanwhile, as far as I'm concerned, society has a responsibility only to the "deserving" poor; to those people (particularly children) who need help to survive.

In the Western World the minimum housing should be weatherproof with running, water, indoor plumbing and cooking facilities in a "safe" neighborhood.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA   USA

home, food, water, clothing, education

Melodi, 19
Gahanna
, OH    USA

Required to? That depends on the laws of the country.

Karen, 22
Marshalltown/Ames
, IA  USA

Right or wrong, society isn't required to provide any shelter.

Reba, 50+
Silver Spring
, MD   USA

I'm not sure what the substandards of living are here in the United States but I'm assuming its higher than expected. A roof that doesn't leak, walls that keep out the heat and cold and household environments free of disease of uncleanliness. What all homes have.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

don't know

Patty

I feel that every human being should be provided with shelter but every human being should be willing to work for that shelter...no freeloaders.

Celeste, 30
Colorado Springs
, CO  USA

I'm guessing that this question means to ask what do I think SHOULD be the minimum shelter a society should provide to every person. I think a society should provide enough resources so every person can eat, sleep, and live healthily (That means: clothes to keep warm, a bed under a roof, heat/air conditioning, healthy food, and medical care).

Eric, 19
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

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