South American housing and socioeconomic challenges

Socioeconomic challenges regarding housing and shelter continue across several South American regions.

In Chile, the Tarapacá region has seen a significant rise in homelessness, with census data showing an increase from 500 to over 1,900 people living on the streets. Deputy Álvaro Jofré has criticized current state strategies as being ‘purely assistance-based and ineffective,’ calling for stricter penalization and increased neighborhood security interventions. To address broader housing needs, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (Minvu) has implemented the Integral Housing and Urbanism Plan (Pivu) for Osorno (2026–2030). This plan aims to deliver approximately 6,000 housing solutions, with 2,710 units currently under construction.

In Peru, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation is providing temporary housing modules in the Chupaca province to assist those affected by a July earthquake. In Pumpunya, the installation of 28 modules aims to provide safe shelter for 48 people, following a previous installation that benefited 33 individuals.

In Uruguay, the Salto department faces high unemployment and informal labor rates, with official data reporting a 7% unemployment rate and a 30% informal labor rate. A housing paradox persists in the region, where more than 7,000 homes remain vacant while many families face overcrowding or high rental costs. Local leaders are advocating for better land use regulation and decentralized public investment.