The "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" (My House, My Life) program is undoubtedly the largest social housing program ever implemented in Brazil. Created in March 2009 during Lula's government, it was designed to democratize access to housing, providing subsidies and facilitated credit lines for low-income families, both in urban and rural areas
Program changes and adaptations
Since its creation, the Minha Casa Minha Vida program has delivered millions of homes. By 2024, approximately 7.7 million units had been delivered
Other reports indicate an even higher number, reaching 8.4 million units delivered, although there is some variation in the figures.
In the context of the previous decade, there was also a major overhaul of the program, starting with the emergence of Casa Verde e Amarela, but Minha Casa Minha Vida (MCMV) was resumed on February 14, 2023, maintaining its initial name and introducing new guidelines.
New rules and ambitious goals for the MCMV (Minha Casa, Minha Vida program)
Since the program resumed in 2023, many changes have been defined:
- The first income bracket (Faixa 1) has been reintroduced, now open to families with a monthly income of up to R$ 2,640 (previously it was only R$ 1,800)
- They expanded the income brackets served: up to R$ 8,000 per month in urban areas and R$ 96,000 per year for rural areas
- The future use of FGTS (Brazilian Severance Indemnity Fund) as a resource for financing, underway since April 2024
- Delivery of 21,000 units in 2023, in addition to resuming another 22,000 stalled projects, with the contracting of more than 500,000 new homes
- By the end of 2024, the program had accumulated almost 1.2 million units, with a forecast to reach the goal of 2 million by 2026 (or exceed it, reaching 2.3 million)
MCMV structural standards
The buildings in the program must meet quality and infrastructure standards: the minimum area must be 40 m² for houses and 41.5 m² for apartments, in addition to having access to treated water, electricity, paved roads, sewage systems, and structures adapted for elderly people or people with disabilities.
Social and economic impacts of the Minha Casa Minha Vida program
The MCMV (Minha Casa, Minha Vida) program had a huge impact not only on housing, but also on social issues and the Brazilian economy. It generated direct and indirect jobs in the construction industry, and even boosted the country's economy. It also promoted greater social stability, lifting many families out of precarious conditions and helping them access basic infrastructure.
It also stimulated urban development, bringing greater integration to the regions served by public services and transportation. The program is not just about construction, but also about social inclusion, citizenship, and even dignity, allowing countless families, for the first time, to build assets and break free from the cycle of vulnerability.
Major Challenges of this benefit
Despite its many successes, the program still faces significant criticism. Peripheral location is often an obstacle; many developments are far from urban centers, which hinders access to jobs and services. Furthermore, the quality of construction does not always maintain the same standard, and in some cases, there are flaws in execution.
Beyond the material issues, there are also cases of bureaucracy and delays. Selection and delivery processes are excessively complex, significantly hindering access for the most vulnerable families
Who can participate in the benefit?
In 2025, families with a monthly income of up to R$ 8,000 in urban areas or an annual income of up to R$ 96,000 in rural areas can participate in the Minha Casa, Minha Vida program. The lowest income bracket (Faixa 1), intended for the most vulnerable families, covers a monthly income of up to R$ 2,640. Families experiencing homelessness, female heads of household, and people with disabilities can also participate. The program prioritizes those who do not own property, have not benefited from other housing programs, and meet the selection criteria defined by the municipality, state, or federal government.