Housing and Urbanism Minister Iván Poduje announced on Tuesday the development of new social housing projects across several districts in the eastern sector of the Metropolitan Region, including Las Condes, La Dehesa, La Reina, and Peñalolén.
Speaking to Radio Universo, the Secretary of State detailed that the construction will take place on land owned by the Housing and Urbanism Service (Serviu). The Minister noted that the plan includes an ambitious goal of "400,000 social housing units."
One of the projects will be located in Las Condes, specifically on Cerro Colorado Street, near the Parque Arauco mall. The site, situated near Américo Vespucio, is currently occupied by a tennis club.
"That is on a plot where there is a tennis club, and they will be asked to leave because that land belongs to Serviu, and social housing will be built there," Poduje said.
The buildings in Las Condes will be taller, projected to be between 12 and 15 stories high as part of a social integration model. According to BioBioChile, plans for areas such as Lo Barnechea include houses with yards and pergolas, as well as buildings ranging from four to seven stories.
Expansion into La Dehesa and La Reina
In the La Dehesa district, the Minister confirmed that the housing will be located near the Nido de Águilas school and the Huinganal area. The land, which was transferred to Serviu during Sebastián Piñera's administration, will house families from vulnerable sectors.
"The land is beautiful, and there we will host 500 families from Cerro 18 and the 'Movimiento por la Dignidad' (Movement for Dignity)," the Minister specified.
Meanwhile, in La Reina, land previously owned by the Ministry of National Assets will be used. The housing in this area will be situated on surplus land from the Military Hospital and is intended for both families from housing committees and members of the security forces.
"We are going to build housing there for members of the Army and for families from housing committees. We also have a project to provide special subsidies for the Carabineros (national police)," Poduje reported.
The Secretary of State also addressed land management from previous administrations, noting that the current administration is seeking economic efficiency. Referring to the work of former Minister Carlos Montes, Poduje stated: "I don't want to criticize former Minister Carlos Montes; we are looking forward, but there was an issue where land was purchased at very, very high prices."
Finally, addressing potential resistance from local residents, the Minister acknowledged that the initiative "naturally causes apprehension." However, he emphasized that the beneficiaries are residents of these same districts: "These are middle-class or vulnerable families who have no other way to live in their own community, and that is what we have been fighting for."
