Are we missing a basic right in the Charter of Human Rights? I think we are after reading a shocking news article yesterday. It read: Homeless woman fined for building her own home.
Really?
Don't we have a right to build our own home? But when I thought about it, maybe we don't. That would be a coup for the construction industry and all its related components but most of all it would be a coup for the bankers and investors, who are gaining more and more power in our unbalanced times.
Reading the article, I began to feel an increasing conviction that, just like raising our own food, we should have the right to build a home that suits us. As long as we are not endangering others. This woman was not. And the fine she received was $10,000! She was building the small dwelling herself with donated materials. She was not in the middle of town or anywhere that her (perhaps shoddy) construction skills could impact on anyone else's property values, as I understand it. So why the fine?
This woman was trying, with the help of others' donations, to better her lot in life and put a roof over her head. Does\' she not have a right to do that? I would like to build my own dwelling also and I know that there is a growing trend away from the "box" housing they are building for people en masse, where you get to look at garages, and into your neighbours' houses for a view. The Tiny House movement is coming on strong in the U.S. and here in our area people are building with cob, straw and other natural building materials, that are more people and earth-friendly.
When our "building" codes and ordonnances meant to promote general safety, instead begin to promote wealth in the pockets of the politicians, and financiers, instead of allowing people to build their lives in a humane fashion, that equals a warning sign in my eyes.
We as a species tend to make a law and keep that law long after its usefulness has expired. Don't believe that? Then you might not know that Toronto has a law that you cannot drag a dead horse through the streets (Sorry, if you were planning on doing that!), or that you can wear a sword in public (but not kiss) as long as it is sheathed. So why not this right?
The Tiny House movement is coming on strong and facing opposition as is the movement to build with more natural materials.
It may not be your particular interest but that doesn't mean that the right to do it shouldn't be available.
So here is the missing right - People have the right to design and build, with materials of their choosing, their own dwelling place, without harassment from government or banks.
That's my say. Have your's below.
Really?
Don't we have a right to build our own home? But when I thought about it, maybe we don't. That would be a coup for the construction industry and all its related components but most of all it would be a coup for the bankers and investors, who are gaining more and more power in our unbalanced times.
Reading the article, I began to feel an increasing conviction that, just like raising our own food, we should have the right to build a home that suits us. As long as we are not endangering others. This woman was not. And the fine she received was $10,000! She was building the small dwelling herself with donated materials. She was not in the middle of town or anywhere that her (perhaps shoddy) construction skills could impact on anyone else's property values, as I understand it. So why the fine?
This woman was trying, with the help of others' donations, to better her lot in life and put a roof over her head. Does\' she not have a right to do that? I would like to build my own dwelling also and I know that there is a growing trend away from the "box" housing they are building for people en masse, where you get to look at garages, and into your neighbours' houses for a view. The Tiny House movement is coming on strong in the U.S. and here in our area people are building with cob, straw and other natural building materials, that are more people and earth-friendly.
When our "building" codes and ordonnances meant to promote general safety, instead begin to promote wealth in the pockets of the politicians, and financiers, instead of allowing people to build their lives in a humane fashion, that equals a warning sign in my eyes.
We as a species tend to make a law and keep that law long after its usefulness has expired. Don't believe that? Then you might not know that Toronto has a law that you cannot drag a dead horse through the streets (Sorry, if you were planning on doing that!), or that you can wear a sword in public (but not kiss) as long as it is sheathed. So why not this right?
The Tiny House movement is coming on strong and facing opposition as is the movement to build with more natural materials.
It may not be your particular interest but that doesn't mean that the right to do it shouldn't be available.
So here is the missing right - People have the right to design and build, with materials of their choosing, their own dwelling place, without harassment from government or banks.
That's my say. Have your's below.
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