Establishing a universal model to evaluate the adequacy of shelter for housing

Abstract

The right to adequate housing is recognised as a basic human right, but the concept of adequate housing is ill-defined. This research aimed to establish a universal model that can be used to evaluate the adequacy of shelter for housing globally. In a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach, the official housing regulations/legislation/policy/code/standards of 42 countries were analysed. As per grounded theory, the data was open coded, axially coded and selectively coded. It was established that 27 consistent universal elements occur across the sample. These can be divided into five categories. Allocation of a percentage to each of the elements facilitates the quantitative comparison of housing internationally. The data is validated by the data itself as per grounded theory, and application of the model is illustrated by a case study. The model provides a framework to assess the adequacy of shelter for housing universally.