Recent trends of social housing development in Brazil: How it matters to social policy

Abstract Brazil has a longstanding and significant tradition in the development of social housing; however, this topic remains underexplored within the field of social policy. This study adopts qualitative methods, including an analysis of housing legislation, from the past two decades and, and data from 20 semi-structured interviews conducted between June and September 2021 with key stakeholders in housing policy, such as policymakers, and activists. The findings reveal a persistent gap between policy promises and actual implementation, alongside a continuing trend toward the financialization and commodification of social housing – particularly in programs such as Minha Casa, Minha Vida (My House, My Life) and Casa Verde e Amarela (Green and Yellow House). The study offers novel empirical insights into the role of social housing within broader ecosocial policy frameworks. One of the central findings is the interconnection between social housing, environmental concerns, and sustainability. The Brazilian case, in particular, stands out as a distinctive and pioneering contribution to the field.