Social housing under the worker’s party government: an analysis of the private sector in Brazil

Abstract

This article examines the patterns of government intervention in social housing in Brazil to analyse the role of the private sector in the elaboration and implementation of social housing policies during the Workers' Party government. It draws on case study research and I examine areas which impact on the way social housing has been implemented since 2003 to study the concentration of decision power private construction sector has on social housing policy-making, which sets the tone of government intervention on social housing. I argue this was part of the Workers' Party's approach to neoliberal policies in a more moderated style, a type of intervention repeated on numerous occasions under previous administrations. This article concludes by noting the prominent role of the private sector in social housing developments.