Argentina

Since 2001, Argentina has been experiencing an acute housing crisis that is worsening daily, affecting thousands of people.

The country has received high level of investments to build condominiums and housing for the affluent, driving poor people off their land.

The lack of a rural and urban land titling process, the high rate of home vacancies and lack of adequate norms and regulations regarding housing rights has worsened the human rights situation of vulnerable communities.

In the slums that have developed around Argentina’s major cities, women face formidable housing rights challenges that impact their health, security and livelihoods.

Villa 31

Two informal urban settlements in Buenos Aires - Villa 31 and 31 bis - with more than 20,000 inhabitants affected by land conflicts, are under constant threat of forced eviction.

The Municipal government has said they intend to “relocate” the families, maintaining that it would be “impossible” to undertake in situ upgrading of the settlements. However, they have not explained what makes such construction work “impossible”.