Decent housing is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but it is not in the reality of many Brazilians. In 2019, the housing deficit reached 5.876 million dwellings*, and in the following year, the number worsened due to the increase in evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
FICA works to increase access to real estate for low-income families in downtown São Paulo and understands that to generate more positive impact on the Brazilian housing scenario - which is so complex and varied - it is necessary to think of solutions in a collective way.
To this end, the organization supports projects, NGOs, and institutions that are linked to social housing through FICALab: an incubation and acceleration lab that provides the exchange of experiences and structuring opportunities.
Among these partners is Haja!: a non-profit association that seeks to acquire empty properties, especially those of historical and cultural interest in central areas of Campinas, restore them, and make them available for social renting.
The acceleration with Haja! started in 2021 and, besides the exchange of knowledge and learning, FICA also made available its administrative and financial structure, safeguarding and applying resources so that the group could start its activities in parallel with its formalization.
" FICA helped us with his example, his motivation and expertise, guiding and sharing his experience and dissemination. We made a partnership to receive the first donations through the FICA bank account, since Haja! had no legal entity or account yet," explains Dr. Vanessa Bello, Administrative Counselor of Haja!
The partnership even extended to the realization of MudA, an event organized by FICA, in which Haja! had an active participation in the programming and space in the physical store, making products available for collection. In addition, Roberto Fontes, who is a member of the executive team of FICA, became one of the founding members of Haja!
It is already possible to reap the fruits of the acceleration: besides the official foundation and the launch of the social networks, Haja has already acquired its first property, which is undergoing evaluation and renovations and will soon be available to house four families.
These networked alternatives to the traditional real estate market are the first step to foster public policies that focus on ensuring decent, affordable, and sustainable housing for all. Just as a home can be shared, social housing becomes possible and scalable when we work together.
FICA has as an essential part of its work the acceleration of projects connected to its mission. If you have questions or are interested in joining, please contact: contato@fundofica.org
Learn more about Haja!
@fundohaja (instagram and facebook) | fundohaja.org
*Source: https://habitatbrasil.org.br/deficit-habitacional-brasil/
