Rio's proposed 2027 budget cuts housing funds by more than half and boosts security
The R$55 billion bill under review by the City Council cuts housing and environment funding and sets aside R$1.15 billion for Urban Security.
Translated from the Portuguese original by the Panorama newsroom. Read in Portuguese
Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.
The Rio de Janeiro city government's budget bill for 2027, under discussion in the City Council, calls for cutting more than half of the funding for the Municipal Housing Department and a 7.6% reduction in the Environment budget, according to g1. The bill projects balanced revenues and expenses of R$55 billion.
A survey by the office of councilman Fernando Armelau (PL) shows Housing going from R$383 million budgeted for this year to R$189 million, a drop of about 50.7%. Data from the João Pinheiro Foundation, used by the city government itself, point to a shortfall of about 200,000 homes in the city, a figure that reaches 700,000 when inadequate housing is included.
In contrast, the newly created Special Department of Urban Security will receive R$1.15 billion, the sixth-largest budget among city departments. Secretary Brenno Carnevale plans to train 600 new Municipal Force agents, who have already passed physical, psychological and background checks, and maintains the goal of 4,200 agents by the end of 2028.
Education is set to get almost 11% more funding, and Transportation a 26% increase. During the debate, councilman William Siri (PSOL) called for investment in infrastructure and in adapting the city to climate change.
The figures may still change: the 51 council members can submit amendments, which will be reviewed before the floor vote, according to the vice-chair of the Budget Committee, Wellington Dias (PDT).