Brazil's Minister Vladimir Lima launches flood reconstruction housing and transport plan in Rio Grande do Sul

On Monday 15, Minister of Cities Vladimir Lima announced a series of federal actions in Porto Alegre to support reconstruction after the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. The program includes 13,000 homes contracted under the Minha Casa Minha Vida – Compra Assistida scheme for families whose houses were destroyed or damaged, and the reopening of the FAR modality for low‑income housing.

The government contracted the Residential Ipê project in Montenegro (96 units) and set reconstruction targets for eight municipalities – Pelotas, Roca Sales, São Jerônimo, São Leopoldo, São Sebastião do Caí, Taquari, Triunfo and Venâncio Aires – covering 1,470 families with specific unit allocations. Authorizations to start works were signed for 17 municipalities, totalling 404 housing units and an investment of R$ 54.9 million.

In sanitation, new water‑supply work will begin in Vera Cruz (R$ 5 million) and a sewage system in Pinhal (R$ 3.3 million). For urban mobility, the Refrota contract will deliver 100 electric buses to Porto Alegre under the New PAC. Prior to the ceremony, Lima visited Estrela, Lajeado and Viamão, where projects such as Residential Renascer (100 units, R$ 19 million) and Residential Estrela (800 units, R$ 160 million) were highlighted.