According to data from the Global Media Report, in 2014, 330 million families were financially threatened by housing costs, a figure projected to rise to 440 million by 2025. Not only have these projections been confirmed, but the crisis triggered by COVID-19 is likely to drive that number even higher.
While Brazil's socially and economically vulnerable population already faced a severe housing crisis, the situation has since worsened. According to a national survey by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA), in March 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic, there were already over 221,000 people experiencing homelessness.
To help address this crisis, Instituto Empodera—a civil society organization dedicated to the social integration of women, networks, and communities—partnered with Casa Terra, an organization focused on promoting environmental knowledge in the construction sector. Together, they developed the “Casa Empodera” project, supported by the philanthropic organization Flex Foundation.
According to Raquel Barros, coordinator at Instituto Empodera, the “Casa Empodera” project was conceived out of the need to build an art house for the Indigenous women of the Guyra Pepó village in Tapiraí, in the state of São Paulo. “We realized that instead of hiring someone to build the art house, we could develop a course where women could learn bioconstruction techniques. This not only builds the village's art house but also serves as a powerful housing tool for these women,” Barros explains.
Civil engineer, natural builder, and partner at Casa Terra, Mateus Gambaro, has been researching home construction using natural elements since 2018. He emphasizes that bioconstruction benefits both people and the environment. While cement production emits tons of carbon dioxide, earth can be used in its place, often matching the structural and waterproofing performance of cement.
How does it work?
The “Casa Empodera” project consists of four stages. The first took place from September 18 to 26, where participants received bioconstruction certification from Casa Terra professionals. Forty women from Conexão Musas—another Instituto Empodera initiative that supports and trains women in vulnerable situations—were certified. Of these, fifteen will become instructors, sharing the acquired techniques through video classes on YouTube.
The second stage begins on October 9 with the construction of the Indigenous women's art house. The third stage will take place in November in the city of Votorantim, where the training and construction of homes for local residents will occur.
“In 2022, we will continue Casa Empodera, building homes for women from Conexão Musas in the city of Araçoiaba da Serra, São Paulo. We strongly believe in bridging the talents, skills, and opportunities offered by different sectors,” Raquel concludes.
To learn more about the project and its progress, visit the institute's website or follow the @InstututoEmpodera profile on social media.
Via CicloVivo.
This article was written by Natasha Olsen. The translation is powered by AI.
