Do you remember when the dream of owning a home was really just a dream? Well, with Lula and Dilma it is coming true, thanks to the largest housing program in Brazil’s history. Considered by the UN "an example for the world," My House, My Life already has contracted construction of 3.4 million homes and apartments across the country, of which 1.7 million have been delivered, to the benefit of some 6.8 million Brazilians — the equivalent of the entire population of Brazil’s second largest city (Rio de Janeiro). This is the government providing housing for those in need — while at the same time helping drive commerce and industry, generating jobs and income, turning what was a dream into citizens’ rights, development and dignity.
The largest housing program in history is the result of dialogue between the federal government and social movements
A housing program as big and encompassing as My House, My Life, historically one of the most important entreaties of social movements, does not emerge out of thin air. It is the result of dialogue between the PT governments and organizations involved in the fight for decent housing, such as the National Union for Popular Housing (UNMP), Popular Movements Center (CMP), National Housing Struggle Movement (MNLM) and National Residents Confederation (Conam).
When President Lula announced the goal of building one million residences, the opposition bellowed: Impossible! It seemed impossible in a country that for many years had not invested a penny in housing programs. "The only thing impossible is for God to commit a sin," Lula replied.
And Brazil reached the milestone of 1.7 million houses and apartments delivered by 2014 — 1.7 million dreams that came true — with another 1.7 million under construction, a unique partnership between the federal government, states, municipalities, social movements and the private sector for the right to housing.
