Brasília, October 23, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A federal government commission is conducting a patrimonial survey to evaluate which government buildings can be transformed into public housing. This affirmation was made today by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the opening of the first National Conference of Cities. According to Lula, these buildings already possess structures and contain water, electricity, and sewage lines, making it easier to use them for public housing.

The President also announced that a study is being done to make it possible for workers to use part of their Workers' Compensation Fund (FGTS) to renovate their homes. According to Lula, the study needs to be cautious, because the FGTS is not "a jar of holy water, which never dries up," and the resources are already being utilized for other government programs.

Lula took advantage of the occasion to call on the National Congress to approve the Disarmament Statute. "We have to make Brazil think less about weapons and more about food," the President affirmed. (DAS)