2024-05-01 12:51:24
An exhaustive study carried out by the Comptroller General of the Republic has revealed that, despite the considerable efforts and resources invested, housing programs in Colombia have failed to significantly reduce the housing deficit since 2010.
The investigation, which covered the period from 2010 to 2022 and examined 11 major programs that account for the vast majority of allocated resources, yielded worrying results.
According to the Comptroller’s Office, of the 4.79% reduction in the urban quantitative deficit in this period, only 0.41% is attributed to government subsidy programs. The remaining 4.38% is due to the participation of other market actors, such as the efforts of households, family compensation funds, and private or local housing programs.
One of the main concerns that the Comptroller’s Office highlighted is the unequal distribution of subsidies, which tend to be concentrated in regions with greater economic growth, leaving vulnerable populations behind in areas with greater needs. This raises questions about equity in access to decent housing and the real effectiveness of housing policies.
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Additionally, the report notes that Cash Transfer programs, which represent a significant investment of more than $36.5 trillion between 2018 and 2022, also face challenges.
Although programs such as ‘Families in Action‘ and ‘Jóvenes en Acción’ have been implemented, there are concerns about whether subsidies are reaching those who need them most. The lack of a clear methodology to measure the overcoming of poverty and the unequal distribution of subsidies between regions and vulnerable population groups raise questions about the real effectiveness of these policies.
The Comptroller’s Office urgently calls to review public policies on housing subsidies and monetary transfers, focusing on a more transparent and efficient allocation of resources to achieve a significant impact on reducing poverty and inequality in Colombia.
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