Eviction : Alternatives to the whole-scale destruction of urban poor communities

Despite decades of work by housing and human rights organizations, NGOs, multilateral
institutions and community organizations, the eviction of poor households and poor
communities is increasing in Asian cities, causing displacement, misery and impoverishment for millions of urban citizens. The causes of these evictions are varied, but the underlying theme which links them is the increasing role market forces are playing in
determining how urban land is used.

A vast majority of these evictions are unnecessary. This guide looks at the various
causes of evictions, and their effect on the lives, livelihoods and housing choices of the
urban poor. The distinction between different types of evictions are discussed and the
legal context of eviction is examined within the key international human and housing
rights covenants.

The guide explores several practical, viable and replicable alternatives to eviction which
are being tested, refined and scaled up by governments, community groups and support
institutions in Asian countries. In almost all of these cases, poor communities are
central, creative partners in the search for lasting solutions to their city’s problems of
affordable land and housing — solutions which do not require that the poor be pushed
out. Finally, the guide presents guidelines to help governments and policy makers to
develop better formal procedures to minimize eviction.

This guide is not aimed at specialists, but instead aims to help build the capacities of
national and local government officials and policy makers who need to quickly enhance
their understanding of low-income housing issues.