Millionaire spending on building houses for military personnel shocks population; Army public expenses exceed R$540 million

The Brazilian Army invested R$547 million in functional housing for military personnel between 2020 and 2023, with an average of R$1,18 million per residence.

Meanwhile, a high-end house in Brasília intended for a general officer cost more than three times that amount, raising questions about the use of public resources.

The revelation of the cost involved in building functional housing for military personnel sparked a heated debate about the use of public resources in Brazil.

Although the construction of residences for officers and soldiers has the justification of guaranteeing decent housing conditions for the military, the amount spent is impressive.

With an average of R$1,18 million per residence, the Brazilian Army invested millions in this project. However, this information only reveals the surface of an issue that involves luxury, inequality and the challenge of balancing public accounts.

Details of million-dollar investments in functional homes

This Monday (12), the Army announced that between 2020 and 2023, R$547 million were invested in the construction of 463 functional residences for soldiers and military officers.

These units, known as National Residential Units (PNR), are properties belonging to the Union and aim to provide decent housing conditions for active military personnel.

These functional homes emerged to meet a specific need for the military: high geographic mobility.

According to the Land Force, the constant movement to different regions of the country means that soldiers need a housing solution that accompanies their transfers.

Functional residences, therefore, are seen as an appropriate response to this challenge, especially in remote locations or with limited infrastructure.

The justification for building these homes is clear: to ensure adequate support for military families, especially in places where the rental market is scarce or the values ​​are incompatible with the salaries received.

Furthermore, these frequent movements, according to the Army, create stress and logistical difficulties for families, which makes the existence of these homes even more crucial.

Inequality in housing standards generates controversy

Despite the apparent need for these constructions, the distribution and standard of housing varies according to the military hierarchy, which has generated discussions.

While the average cost per residence is R$1,18 million, some high-ranking officers have luxury homes at their disposal, the value of which far exceeds this average.

An example of this is a general officer's residence in Brasília, whose cost reached R$3,8 million, more than three times the average value of other functional residences built.

This discrepancy raises questions about equity in the use of resources and the real need for such a high investment in high-standard housing for a small portion of the workforce.

It is worth remembering that the average expense does not necessarily reflect the exact cost of each residence. Some homes may cost more, while others may be built for lower prices. This occurs due to factors such as location, type of residence (house or apartment), and the size of the soldier's family.

Maintenance and additional costs of military residences

In addition to the initial construction cost, military personnel who occupy these functional residences are also responsible for paying usage permit fees, maintaining PNRs, and condominium fees.

In Brasília, for example, normative instruction number 4 of the 11th Military Region Command determines that discounts on military pay for these expenses vary between 3,5% and 5%, depending on the type of residence.

Another relevant point is that only a small portion of active military personnel have access to these functional housings. This occurs because the number of PNRs available is not sufficient to meet all demand.

In response to this situation, the Army stated that it is committed to building more housing in different regions of the country, seeking to expand the supply of functional residences.

Conclusions and reflections on the million-dollar costs

The construction of functional housing for military personnel in Brazil involves a series of complexities that go beyond the published numbers.

Although it is crucial to guarantee decent housing conditions for those who serve the country, the high amounts invested, especially in high-standard residences, raise questions about the priority in the use of public resources.

Is it justifiable to invest millions in luxurious residences for high-ranking officers while other military personnel face difficulties in finding housing? Leave your opinion in the comments.