Victory for CAFOD's São Paulo campaign but struggle continues

Mauá families hold up messages of solidarity from CAFOD supporters

A fight backed by parishes throughout England and Wales to secure permanent housing for hundreds of homeless families in Brazil's most populous city has seen its first victory.

237 families occupying the Mauá complex in São Paulo were facing the threat of eviction on the eve of next month's World Cup, unless the city authorities pushed through a purchase order to convert the abandoned hotel into social housing. News of the city's municipal government £3 million purchase order was greeted with jubilation by the families, and they were quick to thank the thousands of CAFOD supporters in England and Wales who have backed their campaign.

Community leader, Nete Araújo, said: “I did not believe the news until we received the electronic confirmation of the deposit. We organised a community assembly to inform the families. I was on my knees. I would like to thank, after God, all of you who helped and supported us in CAFOD, and who were alongside us during this struggle - and now also beside us during this great hour of victory. It is your victory too! And I hope you know too that our commitment and responsibilities do not end here with this achievement. We want to see each of the families with a key to their homes in their hands.

“It is important that all of you continue to show us your support and solidarity. That you continue to help us as you have done. Sometimes I have felt quite desperate, and then I stop and think I am not alone, and that is good. I want to thank all of you for this victory, for being together with us, for that connection with us, for this link and rope which has transformed itself into a big knot that never unties and continues for great victories.”

CAFOD Director Chris Bain said: “Over recent years, the Mauá community’s fight for fair housing has been our fight too, and while we can all celebrate this hard-won victory with Nete and all the Mauá families, we must continue to stand by them, and we must carry on that fight on behalf of all the hundreds of thousands of other families in São Paulo in need of decent and secure housing.”

The Mauá luxury hotel was abandoned and left empty for 17 years until the families occupied and renovated it in 2007. Through CAFOD's Connect2Brazil project, parishes in England and Wales have been following and supporting the Mauá community since 2010, and hundreds of campaigners signed a petition in summer 2012 which helped to fight off a previous eviction order.

Another resident, Natalia, aged 65, has lived in the community for six years after several years living homeless on the streets. She has since found a job working in a local museum. She said: “We were so scared that we could be evicted at any time and thrown out on the streets. I am alone, and have no family. These last months were so tough. We were so happy when we heard about the news. Living here has been my greatest blessing.”

CAFOD has been working in São Paulo for over 30 years with local partner organisations MDF and APOIO, who work alongside favela communities to help them speak out for their needs, fight evictions and negotiate with the local authorities for improved living conditions.

MDF, the Movement for the Defence of People living in Favelas, has community groups in approximately 40 favelas in the south east of São Paulo. MDF leads campaigns to lobby the city government for greater investment in basic services. APOIO, the Association for Mutual Support, was founded by lawyer Manoel del Rio, it provides legal and organisational support to homeless people and families living in favelas and tenement blocks, and has supported the Mauá community throughout their struggle.

Nete Araújo this week sent a special message of thanks to supportive parishes across the country: "Many thanks to the Connect2Brazil communities. Many thanks to CAFOD. May God Bless you all. As Manoel del Rio says: ‘The worst struggle is the one which does not happen.’ And this struggle has definitely been fought. And La Luta Continua - The struggle continues!"

To support CAFOD's campaign for decent housing in São Paulo, please visit: cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Take-action-today/Stand-by-Brazil