ABSTRACT
Slum upgrading policies require long-term actions, continuous financial support, and the government’s commitment to accomplish the goals, seldom seen in Brazilian social housing experiences. This paper aims to discuss the effects on the lives of the residents of “Vila Parolin”, a precarious settlement in the city centre of Curitiba, Brazil, of the repeated interruptions in social housing programs over the last few decades. The present investigation was based on official data and interviews with residents, mapping the finished works and their outcomes. We observed failings as a result of limited actions that did not consider overall quality and effectiveness. This ineffectiveness impacts householders´ decisions regarding their housing rights, creating the illusion that decent housing can only be achieved by their own means, without the State’s commitment. Consequently, this weak dialogue between residents and public authorities contributes to promoting further urban segregation and spaces of social vulnerability.
