Venezuela Government Completes 4.9 Million Homes Construction, Presents Women-led Housing Initiative
Celebrating the 4.9 Millionth Home: Venezuela's Onward Stride
Let's dive into the recent milestone achieved by the Venezuelan government - the delivery of the 4.9 millionth home under the Great Housing Mission (GMVV).
On May 2, 2024, President Nicolás Maduro marked this significant occasion by inaugurating the "Parque Hábitat El Ingenio" housing project in Guatire city, Miranda state. This remarkable event was broadcasted live, where the President handed over the apartment keys to a young family, embodying the mission's purpose.
Marisabel Quiñonez, a young mother studying electromedicine for free at the National Experimental University Francisco de Miranda, expressed her gratitude for the free education and the housing program as pivotal elements in Venezuela's social progress. She articulated, "The dream is not the American dream, it is the Venezuelan dream, and today we are making it come true."
In total, 388 housing units were distributed across Caracas and several other states, marking a commemoration of the GMVV's 13th anniversary.
President Maduro emphasized that despite the challenges posed by US sanctions, the GMVV, established by President Hugo Chávez in 2011 to address low-income families' housing needs, persisted through community-led self-construction brigades.
An intriguing aspect of these housing projects is the active participation of the communities they serve. Organized communities obtain training in various construction disciplines, such as plumbing and electricity, to build their homes. They receive financial and logistical support from government institutions, along with construction assistance.
Maduro announced that his government will soon deliver the 5 millionth milestone, aiming to reach the 7 million home goal by 2030.
During the live broadcast, President Maduro also dedicated a segment to the inauguration of a women-led housing project in Caracas' Antímano Parish, a beacon of feminist grassroots resistance. Known as the "Jorge Rodríguez Padre" urbanization, it began in 2012 under the leadership of Ayari Rojas and Ycedia Bodeo. The project provides homes for families in need and serves as an exemplary model of female empowerment within the GMVV.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez participated in the inauguration of one of the twin buildings, expressing appreciation for the honor. Claudia Tisoy, a self-taught plumber and recipient of one of the 48 completed apartments, requested Maduro to forgive their remaining payments as a token of gratitude for their hard work and perseverance.
"We have been working in self-construction for 13 years, and 85 percent of us are hardworking and determined women. We want our years of dedication, belief in the Revolution, and unyielding spirit to be acknowledged," Tisoy stated. "We survived the economic war, the blockade, and the pandemic. We want our houses to be exonerated from payment and granted property titles."
Under this social program, the Venezuelan government either constructs houses for families or provides financing and materials for self-construction brigades. The program also offers home appliances and furniture free of charge or at low costs, depending on families' income and construction methods. Families typically repay any remaining debt over an extended period in favorable installments. In the case of the Antímano project, Maduro granted the families' request for debt forgiveness during the broadcast.
Venezuela's GMVV housing developments often include sports centers, parks, medical offices, kindergartens, and urban agriculture areas. The initiative signifies a significant stride toward improving living conditions for low-income families throughout Venezuela.
In Marisabel Quinõnez's words, she acknowledges her appreciation for the free education and housing programs provided by the Venezuelan government, stating that they are crucial elements in the country's advancement in health-and-wellness and women's health. The "Jorge Rodríguez Padre" urbanization, a women-led housing project within the Great Housing Mission, serves as an inspiring example of female empowerment, bolstering the science and development of the nation.
