Brazil social and housing policy initiatives

Brazil continues to advance social welfare and housing initiatives. Public consultations remain open for the National Meeting on Policies for the Homeless Population, scheduled for December 2026 in Brasília. The consultation seeks to improve services across eight thematic axes, including health, education, and human rights, with a focus on demographics such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

In the social impact sector, Banco do Brasil has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its ‘Mãos Dadas’ Program. The program has expanded its scope to include the circular economy and waste reuse, supported by the Law of Incentive to Recycling. Funding is divided into tracks for social and health demands and environmental sustainability projects, such as the structuring of waste picker cooperatives.

Regarding housing, the federal government has approved 716 new units under the Minha Casa, Minha Vida Rural program for Maranhão, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Sul. Regional developments include the authorization of 60 low-income homes in Rio Grande do Norte and site preparation for the 496-apartment Residencial Flor de Carajás in Parauapebas. Additionally, a pilot project by developer Cury is testing social rental schemes in Barra Funda, providing apartments at rents significantly below market averages to assist low-income residents in accessing urban opportunities.

In Pará, state authorities are implementing actions to protect the rights of the homeless population, which includes nearly 5,000 people. The State Secretariat for Social Assistance, Labor, Employment, and Income (Seaster) is working to strengthen the Unified Social Assistance System (Suas), while the State Secretariat for Human Rights (Seirdh) coordinates to combat discrimination. Meanwhile, in Cachoeirinha, a municipal stage of the National Meeting on Policies for the Homeless Population resulted in proposals to map the population, expand job opportunities, and ensure humanized medical care to overcome digital barriers.