Brasília, 12/24/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Cities, Olívio Dutra, reports that the government will release R$47 million for low-cost housing to benefit 16,000 families in five states. The work is part of the ministry's Special Low-Cost Housing Program.

Among the program activities are the purchase and repair of buildings in central São Paulo to house some 1,300 families at a cost of around R$18 million. In Belem, Pará, another R$8 million will be used to renovate a slum area, Vila da Barca, and upgrade housing for some 3,000 families. (AB)