THE LOGIC AND INSTRUMENTS OF HOUSING FINANCIALIZATION IN ACTION

provoking the debate on the brazilian case

Abstract

The text presents a synthesis of the opening lecture at the 1st “Seminário Nacional sobre os “Desafios dos territórios do habitar e do morar nas cidades brasileiras – da financeirização do território ao direito à moradia”. After a brief contextualization of the debate on financialization in general and real estate in particular, it presents and proposes some investigative lines for the correct apprehension of the processes of indebtedness and weakening of the housing property relationship and also on the gears of the dissemination of housing real estate securitization. The central argument refers to a new conjuncture produced in Brazil to weaken the right of access and permanence of large portions of the population to housing and, consequently, to the city. The text ends by pointing out some analytical challenges to be overcome and, fundamentally, to support the construction of new public housing policies.