Self-managed Vertical Housing

USINA works with low-income families in São Paulo to create community-led, high-density housing. Since the late 1980s, it has supported around 5,000 families from over 15 housing movements. Families design, build, and manage their own multi-storey homes through a “mutual help” system, where each household contributes labour and takes part in decision-making. This approach gives people control over budgets, materials, and construction teams, while technical advisors provide architectural and engineering support.
The projects are publicly funded, with land usually provided for free and construction costs kept affordable through subsidies and long-term low-interest loans. Communities build not only apartments but also facilities like bakeries, childcare centres, and training spaces, which generate income and strengthen local networks. Women play a key role, often making up most work groups and leadership teams.
These housing initiatives emerged as a response to rapid urban growth, widespread poverty, and poor-quality public housing in Brazil. By organising collectively, residents gained access to secure housing and became active political actors in the fight for land and urban rights. The process strengthens social ties, develops construction and management skills, and fosters small businesses.
Environmental care is embedded in the projects using locally available materials, energy-efficient building techniques, and, in some rural cases, wastewater treatment and composting toilets.
Despite challenges such as bureaucratic delays, political changes, and resistance from private construction lobbies, USINA’s patient and persistent approach has delivered durable results. Its work has influenced public housing policy, shown that communities can manage complex projects responsibly, and inspired similar initiatives across Brazil. By combining technical knowledge with grassroots organization, USINA has helped transform the way cities can house their most vulnerable citizens.