In the history of the state, there has never been a coherent or consistent housing policy or national strategy regarding the fundamental right to shelter, and problems that arise are dealt with on an ad-hoc basis for limited sectors, thereby creating a collection of interventions that does not uphold the fundamental values of equality, due process and transparency. In fact, even an overall analysis of the problems of homelessness, substandard housing, defaults on mortgages, evictions, etc. has never been carried out. There exists no official national data on housing and the lack thereof, on which to base decisions and directions in housing policy.
In order to tackle this overwhelming problem, the Association for Distributive Justice has piloted the establishment of the Housing Forum and has recruited a number of NGOs and academics working on different aspects of the general problem. The Forum, aims to survey the true needs throughout the country and to create and promote an overall housing policy that answers these needs.