Restoration of housing in Boqueirão, Brazil

2025, Brazil

In November 2024, more than six months after significant flooding in Brazil, the John Cockerill Foundation had the opportunity to accompany the Belgian delegation on an economic mission. This allowed the Foundation to meet several partners committed to improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations. This is notably the case for the Boqueirão community, located near Heliópolis on the outskirts of São Paulo, which comprises around 7,500 people living in 1,500 homes. Although the wooden houses have been replaced with masonry constructions after thirty years, the dwellings remain very fragile. The area also suffers from a severe lack of essential public services such as healthcare and education.

01. No poverty
03. Good health and well-being
10. Reduced inequalities

We are very pleased with this partnership. Thanks to the support of the John Cockerill Foundation, we are able to help families in a community even poorer than the one you visited. My colleague went there and shared with me some heart-wrenching stories, such as that of a 17-year-old mother living alone with her 4-year-old daughter in a house without a door, protected only by a mattress. She lives in fear every night. We have decided to support her as a priority. Your help truly makes a difference in changing lives.

(FR) Adriana Magalhães (Habitat Brasil)

Habitat Brasil has been active in Brazil for 32 years, working to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged populations, notably through the construction or renovation of affordable housing and the implementation of urban infrastructure improvement programmes. The organisation is also involved in sanitation and access to clean water initiatives.

Habitat Brasil also participates in the installation of 16,000-litre water tanks, each of which generally supplies several families. The association benefits from the expertise of teams composed of architects and social workers who select beneficiary families according to established criteria, such as income level (maximum two minimum wages, around 100 euros per month), isolated situations (for example, single women), health status, or the presence of children.

In this way, Habitat Brasil contributes to poverty reduction and social inclusion, with a particular focus on the health and education of children in the favelas. Between 2020 and 2022, Habitat Brasil supported 51 families in the region, but the programme was suspended due to a lack of funding.

8

renovated housing

32

years of existence of the Habitat Brasil association

As part of Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, a partnership was established in 2025 between the John Cockerill Foundation and Habitat Brasil.

The project aims to renovate and rehabilitate eight homes in the Boqueirão neighbourhood. Oversight is provided by the John Cockerill Brasil team. In August, the partners identified priority plots and organised technical visits to inform the families involved. After the plans were approved, the first construction sites were launched in September 2025.

By early October 2025, the association shared the first results: three sites completed, four in progress, and one about to start.

Through this initiative, the John Cockerill Foundation is supporting the relaunch of the programme to improve household hygiene and sanitation, notably by providing access to clean water, compliant sanitary facilities, and adequate ventilation and lighting.