Brazil’s Ministry of Cities helped 13 thousand Brazilian families, whose income did not exceed three minimum wages (US$ 296) and whose houses were destroyed by floods, cyclones, gales, and mudslides last year, to rebuild their homes.
The Ministry made US$ 38.2 million (R$ 104 million) available for this purpose in 2004.
According to the projects manager of the Ministry’s National Housing Secretariat, Daniel Nolasco, in order to receive the funds, it was also necessary for the municipal government to present a declaration from the Civil Defense citing the number of houses destroyed by the natural disaster.
He recalls that, for the money to be released, municipal governments are expected to donate lots located outside the area of natural disaster risk. Families pay nothing for their new homes.
In 2005, US$ 128 million (350 million reais) has been allocated to the Ministry of Cities for its program to construct homes for families whose income does not exceed three minimum wages.
Nolasco informed that 83% of the families that don’t own their own homes falls into this income category.
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil
