Brazil faces sanitation and housing challenges

Brazil faces significant challenges in meeting the goals set by the Legal Framework for Sanitation, which mandates universal access to drinking water and sewage collection by 2033. According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Cities, approximately 90 million people lack sewage collection, and only 51.8% of generated sewage is treated before returning to the environment.

Critics note that while private corporations now operate services in half of Brazil's cities, progress remains slow. Issues reported include rising tariffs, infrastructure decay, and service interruptions that affect schools and health centers. The National Observatory of Water and Sanitation Rights (ONDAS) and the National Federation of Urbanists (FNU) have launched a platform to advocate for the reconstruction of the National Basic Sanitation Policy.

Parallel to sanitation issues, Brazil struggles with historical housing inequalities. Rapid urbanization and colonial legacies have shaped unequal access to land. While past federal programs like the National Housing Bank (BNH) attempted to address housing deficits and stimulate the construction industry, they were often insufficient or selective, contributing to the growth of favelas and urban peripheries.