The dwelling: terminology

Most definitions are based on the UN-Habitat Practical Guide to Building a Housing Profile - UN-Habitat 2010 and the "Multilingual Glossary - Terms Relating to Human Settlements", published by UN-Habitat 1992, Habitat Agenda 1996.

Dwelling (dwelling , dwelling unit, housing unit)

A residential unit, either a free-standing structure or part of a multi-unit structure, designed, built for occupancy by a single resident or family, with its own access.

Housing

Refers to a space with the function of living space together with the environment in the immediate vicinity of the living space, both inside and outside the building in which the resident lives. The term can also be used to define a government program to provide shelter for low-income families.

Shelter

Section 60 of the Habitat Agenda defines shelter as more than a roof over one's head. Shelter provides an adequate degree of privacy and safety, sufficient space, physical accessibility, security of tenure, structural stability and durability, sufficient lighting, heating and ventilation, necessary infrastructure such as water, sanitation, waste management facilities, appropriate environmental conditions, factors related to health maintenance, adequate degree of accessibility to work and basic services/facilities. All these must be available and affordable. Their adequacy should be determined together with the people concerned, with the prospect of gradual development.

House

A building/structure built with the intention of habitation, containing one or more dwellings.

Household

A residential unit arranged by a person or a group of persons for living, food preparation, maintenance, maintenance, payment of expenses related to its use.

Housing stock

The quantity of housing units in a housing market area, regardless of condition or compliance with standards and regulations.

Public housing

Housing for low-income individuals and families. Public housing may be owned, built, rented or managed by a municipality, government agency or local housing authority.

Housing condition

The general condition of the housing stock as measured by utility, quality, physical condition, repair requirements, and value.

Housing policy

A set of measures taken by government and local authorities to maintain and/or increase the quantity and quality of the housing stock. It also includes the allocation of fiscal resources and strategies to meet housing needs.

Housing needs

The quantity and quality of housing units required in addition to the existing stock.

Housing supply

Defines the quantity of housing units of different types available for sale or rent in a specific time period in a given area.

House price-to-income (house price-to-income )

The ratio of the average open market price of a housing unit to the average annual income of the resident. This indicator measures the affordability of housing.

Affordability

Refers to the person or group of persons occupying a dwelling and paying no more than 30% of their annual income for it.