Assistência técnica para habitação de interesse social (ATHIS) - o planejado e o possível

Abstract

Even after decades of housing policy, the need for new housing in Brazil remains extremely high. In 2019, the Brazilian Association of Real Estate Developers (ABRAINC) found that Brazil had a housing deficit of 7.97 million homes and at least 874,000 precarious dwellings. After the establishment of the Technical Assistance in Social Housing Law (ATHIS; Federal Law No. 11,888 of December 24, 2008) and the allocation of 2% of CAU/BR's annual budget to support ATHIS, many technical assistance actions targeted at low-income families have been carried out. The general objective of this study is to evaluate completed ATHIS applications in various professional contexts of architects and urban planners (academic, commercial/office, and public agencies). The methodological procedures included literature review, presentation of selected actions, and data collection through semi-structured interviews with agents involved in ATHIS. Architecture professionals from the following initiatives were selected: the extension project "Adopt a House" from Vila Velha University in Espírito Santo; Ambiente Arquitetura office in São Paulo; Rio Grande do Sul Council of Architecture and Urbanism (CAU/RS); and the Housing Development Company of the Federal District (CODHAB/DF). Data analysis was based on the concept of ATHIS, references used by agents in their practice, key actors involved in ATHIS practices, actions carried out by the interviewees, personal experiences, perceptions of the ATHIS law (LF No. 11,888/2008), types of resources adopted, and the influence of the Coronavirus pandemic. Based on this information, the study aimed to reflect on the possibilities of applying ATHIS in each professional context of architects considered in the research. It can be concluded that ATHIS is effective as a public policy, aiming to alleviate the qualitative-quantitative housing deficit and social vulnerability by providing access to the right to housing and specialized professionals from various fields. It is also noteworthy that Law 11,888 does not specify the actions that professionals can undertake in this practice; it merely supports the actions. This inclusiveness allows for the development of not only the indicated applications but also the acceptance of practices based on the expertise and experiences of professionals. Furthermore, it is necessary to better promote ATHIS to political agents, communities, and other professional fields to effectively implement the actions already indicated in the law at a national level.