Towards enhancing citizen safety and housing opportunities, the Salvadoran government, under the exceptional leadership of President Nayib Bukele, has successfully formalized the ownership of more than $100 million worth of recovered homes. These residences, once in the hands of criminal squatters, have been reclaimed through the extraordinary measures of the government, as highlighted by Minister of Housing Michelle Sol.
Minister Sol, while addressing the press, attributed this significant accomplishment to the ongoing success of the Plan Control Territorial (PCT), a pivotal component of the government’s overarching security strategy. Under the PCT, more than 8,000 dwellings have been recuperated, and the ownership of these properties has been officially documented, marking a crucial milestone in the battle against criminal usurpation.
“These homes were previously seized by criminals, by gang members. Today, the reinstatement of the exceptional measures is approved once again, thanks to the new Legislative Assembly, which consistently supports President Nayib Bukele’s security initiatives, and we can witness the positive changes,” expressed Minister Sol.
Providing insight into the housing acquisition process, Minister Sol emphasized that the National Housing System not only facilitates credit for purchasing the property but also encompasses reconstruction and remodeling options. This approach allows families to customize the dwellings according to their preferences.
To qualify for one of these houses, Minister Sol outlined the requirement that the individual must either be a first-time homeowner or not have any other social housing credit. This measure aims to prevent families from acquiring these residences solely for business purposes.
Minister Sol shared these insights during the inauguration of a project aimed at eliminating a threat to the residents of El Calabozo community in Mejicanos, San Salvador. Managed by the National Directorate of Municipal Works (DOM), the initiative, which involved an investment of $180,000, safeguarded 40,000 families. The project featured a retaining wall utilizing 58.34 cubic meters of concrete, the construction of five rainwater boxes connected by pipes, asphalt layers, and staircases with handrails.
“This project protects the homes in the area and prevents critical situations in the future. It’s worth noting that these initiatives also generate local employment. Twenty-five people from the area were employed, and they are now equipped for future projects,” concluded Minister Sol.
Recently, the minister highlighted that through credits channeled via the Social Housing Fund (FSV) and the National Fund for Popular Housing (Fonavipo), a total of $783.2 million has been allocated to benefit 43,000 families, underlining the government’s commitment to improving living conditions and fostering community development.