Following the February 2024 fires in the Valparaíso Region, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism has driven a reconstruction plan with tailored solutions for each affected commune. Progress stands at 45% in housing works, with 426 homes delivered and over 1,200 under construction. The effort involves legislative changes to expand reach and ongoing dialogue with communities.
The February 2024 tragedy in the Valparaíso Region devastated communes including Viña del Mar, Quilpué, and Villa Alemana, affecting both established areas and unregulated settlements. Facing this complexity, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (Minvu) crafted a plan addressing state limitations and providing differentiated responses based on local realities.
To reach more families, legislative reforms were pushed to streamline administrative processes. Consequently, housing reconstruction is 45% complete in works. So far, 426 homes have been finished or handed over, with over 1,200 under construction. Efforts also focus on restoring damaged infrastructure.
This initiative draws lessons from past reconstructions, such as after the 2010 earthquake, prioritizing housing formalization and regularization—a longstanding national debt. Belén Paredes Canales, Regional Ministerial Secretary of Housing and Urbanism for Valparaíso, emphasizes that "we have fulfilled the commitment not to leave them alone" and maintained "permanent, frank, and respectful dialogue with communities and their leaders".
While institutional timelines do not always match family urgencies, the government insists it has not been negligent. The aim is to establish solid foundations for these communes' future, responsibly tackling housing challenges.
