Housing Conditions in Brazil’s Favelas

Life in Informal Settlements

Brazil’s extreme housing inequality is most visible in favelas—informal communities where millions of low-income residents live without basic infrastructure.

Typical Conditions

• Construction: Homes built from scrap materials (cardboard, wood, metal), often not up to code.
• Overcrowding: Dense population in small spaces leads to respiratory and skin infections.
• Lack of Services: Many lack electricity, running water, sewage systems.
• Violence: Gang control limits residents’ movement, access to education and jobs.

Government Efforts

Programs like Minha Casa Minha Vida aim to improve housing, but demand far outstrips supply. Significant investment in affordable, adequate housing remains critical.