Federally owned vacant lots to have homes for low-income people

Brazil’s federal government today (Mar. 17) published a resolution introducing the Aproxima program, whereby vacant territories belonging to the federal government in urban areas are set aside for the construction of homes of social interest for low-income people. Families with a gross monthly income of up to five times the minimum wage ($1,181.58) are eligible to participate.

Under the rules of the initiative, to be implemented in collaboration with local governments, partnerships will be forged with the private sector to build and maintain the housing units on federally owned plots of land. In exchange, companies will be able to commercially exploit the site, as the program allows trade activities and services within the building complexes.

Participating families will have the right to the ownership of the property after the installments laid forth in the contract are paid.

The resolution stipulates that properties must be located in a consolidated urban area, within the urban perimeter set by the local government. The homes must also be in a place with an established road network, close to “residential, commercial, institutional, or mixed buildings, with urban infrastructure and services implemented.”

The Ministry of the Economy will be responsible for surveying and assigning lots, whereas the Ministry of Regional Development should ensure that projects fit into the program, slated to become effective on April 1 this year.