KarunaNews Story

In São Paulo, Brazil, there's a rising solution to the homeless crisis: micro-housing. Amid the towering buildings and the traffic bustle of the Minhocão, an elevated highway, thousands of homeless families are settling in. Their numbers have spiked by over 31% during the pandemic, and they're braving chilly winters, as traditional soup kitchens and shelters can't keep up. To battle this, the city is now building "micro-houses," tiny container-like homes near the Tiete River. The houses have basic amenities and are designed to help families get back on their feet. But critics argue they are no substitute for a comprehensive housing policy. "This is a place where we are trying to get back to living in society, to be human again," explains one resident. São Paulo aims to build 1,000 such homes by the year's end.