Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the situations in the two countries: Ireland and Spain where globalization has had the greatest impact on housing systems. It brings together a range of topics and approaches originally discussed at the 'Contemporary Housing Issues in a Changing Europe' conference held at National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2012. The book revolves around three constellations and developed approach to contemporary housing issues. The comprehensive contemporary survey of 205 national constitutions reveals three approaches taken by states to incorporate such rights. First, there is a direct or explicit approach along the lines of individual housing rights for certain persons. Second, housing rights can be found embedded within other rights, such as social security, assistance to the needy, etc. Third, housing rights can be discerned from indirect or implied rights, such as peaceful enjoyment of possessions or privacy rights.