Revitalization of Vacant Buildings to Reduce Housing Inequalities in São Paulo, Brazil

Overview Video

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Summary Section

Problem Summary

In São Paulo, there has been a rise in housing prices and prolonged government inaction, which has intensified housing instability for low income residents, especially young people in early stages of education and entry into the workforce. As a result, this has forced them to leave the city to live in nearby neighbourhoods, where access to employment opportunities, schools, healthcare benefits, and essential services is limited. This separation has caused longer commute times, higher transportation costs and reduced social interactions with potential future employers. Additionally, these areas often lack adequate infrastructure and public services, further adding to the problem of economic exclusion. This pattern worsens inequality by pushing affordable housing away from jobs and career opportunities.

Solution Summary

We propose a start with an initial pilot program, consisting of revitalizing small amounts of underused buildings in central locations across São Paulo. We aim to partner with corporations known to support similar initiatives, such as Suzano S.A. and MRV Engenharia (Suzano, 2026; MRV&Co, 2026), with participating firms benefiting from reputation and ESG target boosts. This partnership will secure short-term funding for the program, and will allow for more visibility from the public. By reusing buildings, there is a reduction in both construction costs and environmental impact. As underused housing is already situated in prime locations (de Souza Santos, 2018) for education, job opportunities and essential services for residents, the burden of commute costs and environmental impact is largely reduced. Launching a small-scale pilot vastly improves feasibility and reduces the initial cost of this program. Through it, we can strengthen the case for securing further private-sector and government funding (revitalisation and education).

Practical Humility Clause

We assume that sufficient underused buildings in central São Paulo are structurally suitable for renovation, and that the costs associated would not be too high. Additionally, we will have to explore any potential bureaucratic barriers. There is also the assumption that corporate partners will be willing to participate. There are questions as to the reception from the community, whether such a pilot can successfully be upscaled, and the timeframe for the program. To alleviate initial issues, feasibility audits will be carried out, assessing legal, financial and structural parts of the program. To encourage community acceptance, workshops will be held, encouraging members of the community to voice their opinion in return for monetary compensation. Long-term, if the project proves successful, it can effectively be upscaled, as the work required would resemble that of what would already have been done, and this success would encourage investment from the government and private companies.

Further Explanation Section

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Proposed Solution:

• Public-Private Revitalization Program
  • Identify 3-5 vacant buildings within central Sao Paulo.
  • Renovate them into affordable, mixed-income housing.
  • Use ESG-driven private investment to fund upfront rehabilitation.
• Renovation > New Construction
  • Faster delivery timeline.
  • Lower carbon footprint.
  • Uses existing infrastructure rather than expanding outward.

Pilot Scheme (Initial Implementation)

• Launch a small-scale refurbishment scheme in vacant Sao Paulo properties. For example, like 5 apartment complexes.
• Potentially supported by vacancy taxes to encourage participation.
• Funded by local construction and development firms like Tegra Incorporadora, MRV Engenharia and Rossi Residencial. These firms seek to strengthen the ESG performance and gain future project access.
• Delivered in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Brazil using community-led planning aligned with IAP2 principles to ensure decisions reflects the interests of the public.

Funding

• Tegra Incorporadora - Is a major Brazilian real estate developer focused on residential and urban projects, and they’re a strong funding fit because supporting inclusive housing and revitalization efforts reinforces their ESG commitments while contributing to a more stable, sustainable housing market in São Paulo.
• MRV - Brazil's largest homebuilder and real estate developer, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Belo Horizonte. It focuses on low-income residential projects, operating across 140+ cities and 20 states.
• Rossi Residencial - A Brazilian construction and real estate company founded in 1913 and ranked the sixth largest residential construction company in Brazil. Rossi Residential has a significant presence in Brazil’s real estate market and has contributed to the country’s development through its’ engineering and construction projects.

Community Engagement Strategy

• Run community awareness and education workshops delivered with non-profit partners such as Associacao Cresimento Limpo and The Borgen Project.
• Hold educational programs in the city’s centre. Host community-building activities. Incentive participation through small rewards like gift cards to ensure residents are informed and supportive of the redevelopment housing programs.
• In the long run for this proposal, gaining government support is crucial and can help establish education programs that raise awareness and help residents from falling into poverty cycles.

Key measures of success to gain funding from the government for long-term implementation include:

• The number of families rehoused
• The reduction in commute time
• The cost-per-project versus new construction costs.
• The emissions saved through reuse of materials and resources.
• Increase in resident income stability after their relocation to the central city.
• These key performance indicators will provide the evidence base needed to approach the government for long-term scaling support.

Possible Key Stakeholders:

• General Public
  • Those who are displaced by the rising housing costs, the primary beneficiaries.
• Private/Public Firms
  • Provide preliminary funding through ESG initiatives. Will in return receive reputation boosts.
• Construction Firms
  • Execute revitalization and benefit from increased project pipelines and profits
• Government
  • Initially not the lead actor. After pilot success, approach the government with clear data and implementation model to support future developments.

Timeline

1. Secure ESG-aligned private/public partners.
2. Identify and assess vacant buildings.
3. Launch pilot refurbishment (a small-scale demonstration).
4. Implement community engagement + education programs to raise awareness and educate the public.
5. Measure outcomes of housing, costs, environmental and social mobility.
6. Results pitched to the government for possible scaling and institutional adoption.

Looking Ahead

• During the pilot process, gaining attention and support from the government is crucial for developing this solution long-term.
• Demonstrating measurable success will make it easier for policymakers to support and establish this model citywide.
• Continued community workshops and engagement ensures that residents will remain informed and active participants in redevelopment housing programs.

What have other countries done to solve housing crisis issues?:

Mexico City - Invested in transit-oriented development (TOD) near metro and BRT lines -better connections to centre with public transport (metrobus)

Rio - Federal housing program for low income families

UK - “Help to Buy” scheme to help first time buyers buy property.

Vancouver - modular and transit oriented housing: built houses around the subway for youth to reside in to allow easy commute to education.

Visuals:

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Bibliography:

Brazil’s residential property market analysis 2025. (no date). https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/latin-america/brazil/price-history (Accessed: 21 February 2026).

Conheça a Rossi - Rossi Residencial. (n.d.). https://www.rossiresidencial.com.br/conheca-a-rossi.php (Accessed: 21 February 2026).

de Souza Santos, A. (2018) São Paulo’s deadly housing crisis: no solution in sight. Available at: https://www.urbantransformations.ox.ac.uk/blog/2018/sao-paulos-deadly-housing-crisis-no-solution-in-sight./ (Accessed: 21 February 2026).

Habitat for Humanity Brazil (2017) Housing poverty in Brazil. Available at: https://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/country/brazil/ (Accessed: 21 February 2026).