Venezuelan Government Constructs 4.9 Million Homes and Introduces Women-led Housing Initiative
Taking a Look Back at the Venezuelan Dream: 13 Years of Great Housing Mission
It's a new day in Caracas, May 2, 2024, and the Venezuelan government is celebrating a monumental occasion - the 13th anniversary of the Great Housing Mission (GMVV) and the delivery of the 4.9 millionth home to a deserving working-class family.
In a lively broadcast, President Nicolás Maduro unveiled the latest milestone by inaugurating the "Parque Hábitat El Ingenio" housing project, nestled in the heart of Guatire city, Miranda state. With a pathos-filled gesture, Maduro handed the apartment keys to a young, beaming couple and their child, surrounded by local authorities.
"The dream is not the American dream, it is the Venezuelan dream, and today we are making it come true," the young mother, Marisabel Quiñonez, shared, her voice echoing the enthusiasm of the Venezuelan youth. Quiñonez, a student of electromedicine at the National Experimental University Francisco de Miranda, praised the free education and the GMVV housing program as cornerstones of the country's social progress.
On this special day, 388 housing units were bestowed upon Venezuelan families in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and Táchira states.
Fast-forwarding a decade and change, President Maduro reflected on the struggles the GMVV faced, such as harsh US sanctions, but pushed forward due to community-led self-construction brigades. These determined individuals, including many women, underwent training in construction and received financial and logistical support to build their own homes – a testament to the resilience of the Venezuelan people.
Maduro amplified his promise that the 5 millionth milestone would be reached shortly, and the 7 million home goal accomplished by 2030. To underscore this commitment, he dedicated a special segment to the inauguration of a women-led housing project in Caracas' Antímano Parish – a symbol of grassroots feminism and resilience.
Inspired by the spirit of empowerment, self-taught plumber Claudia Tisoy shared her gratitude for the housing project. Tisoy, the recipient of one of the 48 finished apartments in the Antímano project, appealed to Maduro for the cancellation of remaining payments as a token of appreciation for their years of hard work.
Venezuela's GMVV housing developments often feature sports centers, parks, medical offices, kindergartens, and urban agriculture areas, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. As Maduro penned the exoneration of all future payments for the women of the Antímano project, he reiterated, "They deserve it!"
First launched in response to the country's housing crisis, the Great Housing Mission continues to address the housing needs of millions of people, marking a period of significant social and economic change in Venezuela. The mission faces critiques regarding the quality of housing and the distribution process, yet it remains a source of hope and progress for many.
Science plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in the GMVV housing developments, with facilities like medical offices and urban agriculture areas providing health-and-wellness and women's health services to residents.
The resilience displayed by women participating in the self-construction brigades of the Great Housing Mission, who underwent training in construction and built their own homes, is a prime example of the ongoing progress in women's health and empowerment in Venezuela.
