Perpetuating the temporary: considerations on the use of Rental Assistance in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reflect upon the role of Rental Assistance (Auxílio Aluguel), a modality of temporary housing assistance offered by the City Council of São Paulo, and to relate its use to the urbanization process of the metropolis. To this end, we expose the extent to which this subsidy has reached within the general framework of popular housing in the city of São Paulo, and continue with an analysis on the origin of this type of assistance. This is followed by characterizing those in receipt of this assistance and identify the reasons for being included in the program. Finally, the use of rental assistance is discussed, both in the sphere of housing policy and in relation to planning strategies operated in the city of São Paulo.