Beyond the ceiling: a proposal for housing policies based on Amartya Sen's theory of justice

Abstract

Objective: This article analyzes housing justice from the perspective of Amartya Sen’s Capabilities Approach (CA), exploring its implications for human rights within the context of regional development. The CA emphasizes the importance of substantive freedoms and opportunities, enabling a critical assessment of current housing policies. The objective is to develop a theoretical framework for measuring poverty, inequality, and the right to housing access in a way comparable to our current economic production system. Methodology: The inductive method was used within the scope of bibliographic research. Results: The analysis indicates that, based on the Capabilities Approach, the right to housing must be understood beyond the mere provision of dwellings, considering individuals’ ability to live with dignity, security of tenure, and access to essential public services and facilities. It is, therefore, a theoretical proposition that brings together Amartya Sen’s contributions to the understanding of development and human rights. Contributions: Applying the Capabilities Approach to regional policies implies redefining political goals aligned with the dimensions that people consider valuable, promoting effective democratic participation of local residents, and using fair and transparent metrics for evaluation and accountability.