Abstract
The main objective of this article is to understand the demands and actions of social housing movements in the center of São Paulo, and situate them according to the recommendations of current legislation, which has established the concept of the social function of urban property, and indicates the mechanisms with which to restrict real estate speculation. It is within this context that these social movements have increased their importance and presence within political debate. The most transgressive and at the same time, controversial action relates to the occupation of unused buildings. These are the issues which have led to the arguments contained within this paper, based on a literature review, as well as newspaper reports and documentaries published on websites. One of the evident conclusions is that there is a direct conflict between the demands of the social movements and the manner in which those taking part in the occupations self-manage the common spaces of the buildings and share their daily housework and the traditionally adopted public housing policies and the economic interests of the real estate agents, who are generally benefited by these policies.
Keywords:
social housing in downtown; social movements for housing; public policy for housing; unused building occupation; São Paulo downtown