Forced evictions impact over 1.5 mi individuals in Brazil

An unprecedented survey by the National Zero Eviction Campaign, released on Wednesday (Aug. 14), reveals that over 1.5 million Brazilians experienced evictions or forced removals between October 2022 and July 2024. This marks a 70 percent increase, as 898,916 people were affected by such actions as of October 2022.

The mapping compiles collective cases of forced removals, where individuals and entire communities have been evicted from their homes. It encompasses not only legal actions but also administrative processes initiated by public authorities.

The increase during this period, explained Raquel Ludermir, Advocacy Manager at Habitat for Humanity Brazil, may be linked to the fact that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Supreme Court ordered the suspension of evictions and repossessions targeting vulnerable families. This measure remained in place until the end of October 2022. “Up until then, many cases were on hold due to this Supreme Court order. After it was lifted, evictions were once again legally permitted. What we’re now witnessing is a significant surge that reflects the resumption of these eviction and repossession cases, in general,” she said in an interview with Agência Brasil and TV Brasil.

Another factor that may have contributed to this increase, Ludermir explained, is the rising cost of living following the pandemic. “We know that during the pandemic, many people were pushed into poverty, and the cost of living soared. As a result, it’s likely that many people turned to occupations,” she noted.

Nova Palestina Occupation, in São Paulo, where around 8,000 families live - Agência Brasil/Marcelo Camargo

Profile

The Brazilian housing crisis is deeply intertwined with issues of class, gender, and race, the survey revealed. The vast majority of those affected are self-identified as Black or Brown (66.3%), women (62.6%), and earn up to two minimum wages (74.5%). “We’re talking about predominantly low-income individuals who are highly vulnerable from a socio-economic standpoint. They are also mostly Black and, in many cases, headed by women. There is a historical debt owed by the country in addressing this population’s housing needs,” she added.

“We know that although housing is a constitutional right and a human right, we still live in a country where at least 6 million people face a housing deficit, and another 26 million live in inadequate conditions. The research indicates just the tip of the iceberg of a historic problem in Brazil. We are talking here about housing, the problem of the struggle for land, and how this is linked to issues of poverty and intersectionalities,” said Raquel Ludermir.

The vast majority of those affected are self-identified as Black or Brown (66.3%), women (62.6%), and earn up to two minimum wages (74.5%) - Agência Brasil/Marcelo Camargo

Repossession and major construction projects

According to Ludermir, these forced removals or evictions are mainly motivated by repossession disputes, where conflicts arise between the person who claims to own the property or land and the families who are occupying these sites.

The second main reason is forced evictions driven by public authorities, mainly for major construction projects. “These evictions can be related to major infrastructure projects, such as transportation, drainage, or sewage systems, as well as smaller-scale projects, which are supposedly for the benefit of the population itself, but often result in unintended displacement effects,” she explained.

As the Brazilian government resumes major projects under its Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), Ludermir argues that it is crucial to reconsider their impact on the most vulnerable populations. “We must remain vigilant to ensure these projects don't have an even more negative effect on the vulnerable population,” she said. “Public works should not worsen the housing deficit or housing issues in the country, as this would only benefit one sector of development,” she concluded.