Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Paraná Launches Pioneering Program in Brazil Offering Subsidy of R$ 80 Thousand for Seniors to Finance Their Own Homes, Focusing on Housing Inclusion for the Elderly
The Government of Paraná launched this Tuesday (13), at Palácio Iguaçu, an unprecedented program in Brazil. Named Casa Fácil Paraná Terceira Idade, the project offers subsidies of R$ 80 thousand for people over 60 to acquire their own homes. The initiative aims to facilitate access for seniors to housing by reducing the down payment on financing and shortening the payment term, the main barrier for this age group.
The program’s target audience is seniors with income of up to four minimum wages, who do not own property, have not participated in previous housing programs, and who have approved credit from Caixa Econômica Federal under the Minha Casa Minha Vida program.
During the launch, Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior emphasized the social aspect of the program. “We are paying close attention to a segment of the population that often finds it difficult to gain autonomy and security in accessing housing,” he stated.
-
A 33-year-old Paranaense practically built a two-story, 200-square-meter house by himself, without ever having had experience in civil construction, engineering, or architecture.
-
How much is spent on a 100 m² foundation becomes a warning for those planning to build, using concrete, steel, and wood.
-
Mobile bridges in the Netherlands transform streets into passages for boats and reveal how sensors, counterweights, and operators make tons of steel move out of the way without disrupting the routine of cyclists, cars, pedestrians, and historic canals in cities where water also functions as a road.
-
While cities suffocate with smoke and fields burn worthless straw, India transforms sugarcane bagasse, non-recyclable plastic, and agricultural residue into bricks to build cheaper rural housing.
The first phase of Casa Fácil Terceira Idade will have a contribution of R$ 80 million, enough to assist one thousand seniors. The funds will be transferred directly to Caixa for use in the down payment and in reducing monthly payments, considering shorter timeframes for settlement.
Since 2019, the state has already benefited more than 110 thousand families with housing policies, with a direct investment of R$ 1.2 billion from the state treasury and an additional R$ 18 billion in private contributions in the construction sector.
According to the president of Cohapar, Jorge Lange, the program aimed at seniors expands the reach of Casa Fácil. “We will serve groups that often have more difficulty accessing housing,” he explained.
The Secretary of Cities, Guto Silva, reinforced the strategic nature of the measure. “The population is aging, and we must pay special attention to the elderly,” he said, advocating that the state anticipate the demographic changes already indicated by the latest Census.
One of the main hurdles faced by seniors is the Caixa rule that limits the sum of the buyer’s age and the financing term to 80 years and 6 months. This reduces the number of installments and makes the monthly amount higher. The program helps to alleviate this problem.
Cohapar’s superintendent, Kerwin Kuhlemann, emphasized this point. “Normally, seniors have a lot of difficulty because the financing term is short, so the down payment amounts end up being very high,” he explained.
Additionally, the financing requires a down payment that varies between 10% and 20% of the property’s value, which is an obstacle for those depending on retirement income. Unable to afford this down payment, many applications are rejected by Caixa.
The program takes into account projections indicating that by 2030, Paraná will have more seniors than children. This underscores the importance of public policies that serve this demographic profile.
The program’s operationalization will be carried out through an existing contract between the state, via Cohapar, and Caixa Econômica. This allows the initiative to operate in all 399 municipalities in Paraná, without bureaucratic adjustments.
An example of how the program can change lives is the case of the couple Idalino dos Santos, 62, and Paulina Muller, 68, residents of Assis Chateaubriand, in the Western region. With the subsidy, the down payment that was previously R$ 88 thousand has dropped to R$ 8 thousand.
Paulina is a seamstress and Idalino is a driver. They live with Paulina’s mother-in-law and were unable to save the necessary amount to buy a property. “Now we will be able to have peace of mind for the coming years,” Paulina said.
They will participate in a venture with 686 units, with delivery scheduled for 2026. The couple will pay 180 installments of R$ 699, an amount considered affordable. “With an amount like this, we can dream,” Idalino said.
In addition to the subsidy, the state has also invested in exclusive condominiums for seniors. In these, people aged over 60 live alone or as a couple, paying a social rent. The facilities feature leisure areas, communal spaces, physical activities, and periodic health care.
Currently, Paraná has already delivered four condominiums, has eight under construction, and plans 35 housing complexes, totaling R$ 244 million in investments and 1,400 homes.
These initiatives have gained the state national recognition. The model received the Merit Seal from the Brazilian Association of Cohabs and Public Housing Agents (ABC). Caixa Econômica Federal itself considers Paraná a national reference in the release of housing resources.
In addition to Casa Fácil Terceira Idade, the event at Palácio Iguaçu marked the announcement of other modalities of the program. Among them, the regularization of up to 50 thousand properties and partnerships with municipalities for the construction of housing in cities with up to 25 thousand inhabitants.
The first agreements for the construction of rural homes in partnership with the federal government and the installation of sanitary modules in homes without bathrooms or with inadequate facilities have also been established. This action will be carried out by Cohapar in conjunction with Sanepar.
Finally, the governor signed agreements for the release of R$ 443 million from the Vida Nova program. The funds will be used for the construction of homes for 2,452 families living in high-risk areas, unsuitable locations, or in environmental protection areas, in 65 municipalities in Paraná.
With information from Maringá Mais.
-
1 person reacted to this.