For low-income earners, the path to homeownership almost never involves a standard mortgage. It involves public programs—and the rule that determines "Who gets served first" has changed in recent years.
This guide explains which program is right for your income, how families in Band 1 are selected today, the discount for those who take out a mortgage, state programs, and how to recognize a legitimate housing lottery.
The Essentials
- "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" Income Brackets in 2026: up to R$ 3,200, R$ 5,000, R$ 9,600, and R$ 13,000 in monthly household income.
- Homes in Band 1 are no longer selected by lottery. The city government ranks families by priority; the lottery only determines which unit each family receives.
- Who receives Bolsa Família or BPC is exempt from making payments on Band 1 subsidized housing.
- Who Provides Funding Through the FGTS? and earn up to R$ 5,000; you may be eligible for a discount of up to R$ 55,000 (R$ 65,000 in the Northern Region).
- Registration is free. Charging a registration or priority fee is prohibited.
Which path is right for your income?
It all starts with the family's gross income—the total of what everyone in the household earns, before deductions. In urban areas, the income brackets defined by the MCID Administrative Order No. 333/2026 are:
Bolsa Família, BPC, and sickness benefits are not included in the income calculation. Law No. 14,620 of 2023 excludes these benefits from the calculation, which may place the family in a lower income bracket.
In rural areas, income is calculated on an annual basis: Bracket 1 up to R$ 50,000, Bracket 2 up to R$ 70,900, and Bracket 3 up to R$ 134,000 per year.
- Not owning a residential property nor housing financing anywhere in the country
- Not having received it before a similar government housing subsidy, except for renovations or improvements
- Keep the Single Registry up to date, required for Band 1
Category 1: Homes with Rent-to-Own Plans
For subsidized housing in Band 1, the government pays for almost the entire property. The family pays a monthly installment, calculated based on their income, for 60 months:
How Families Are Selected
Many people still expect a “municipal lottery,” but since MCID Ordinance No. 738/2024, the municipality You can't hold a raffle to determine who receives it the homes in Zone 1. In the Frequently Asked Questions from the Ministry of Cities, the answer is simple: “No.” Here’s what to do:
- Registration in the City’s Housing Registry, free of charge.
- Confirmation in the Single Registry income and housing situation.
- Ranking by Priority as provided for in the ordinance.
- Analysis of Caixa, which determines whether the family qualifies.
- Raffle for units only, to determine which house or apartment each selected family will receive.
Priority is given to families:
- Led by women
- With an elderly person, a child, or a person with a disability
- With a person who has cancer or a rare disease
- Victims of domestic violence
- With Black, Indigenous, or Quilombola people
- Who live in high-risk areas or are homeless
Reserved seats. At least half of the units will go to families receiving Bolsa Família or BPC benefits, or families with a child with microcephaly, and at least 3% units will go to seniors and 3% units to people with disabilities. In the event of a tie, the oldest applicant will be given priority.
Members of a housing association or cooperative have another option: the MCMV Entities, in which an authorized entity organizes the families and submits the proposal to Caixa. In rural areas, the Rural MCMV It pays up to R$ 97,500 to build the house (R$ 107,000 in the North), and the family contributes 1% of the cost—those who receive Bolsa Família or BPC are exempt.
The discount for those who finance their purchase
Those who earn up to R$ 5,000 and take out a loan through the program using FGTS funds receive a direct discount on the property's price, which does not go back to the bank. This line of credit There's no registration or line: The family chooses the property, the bank reviews the credit application, and the discount is included in the contract.
The amount depends on income and city, and lower-income families receive the largest discounts. The Ministry of Cities explains the rule on the MCMV Funded by FGTS Funds. To compare loans, use your FGTS balance, and pay less interest, check out our guide to How to Buy a Cheaper House.
State Programs
Many states have housing agencies with their own programs, which either supplement or complement the federal program. São Paulo is a good example of how they work:
The complete rules and open calls for proposals can be found on the CDHU Information for Citizens. In other states, contact the housing agency or the state housing department and your city hall.
Do you already live in an informal settlement? Get your title deed at no cost
If the family already lives in a house on an irregular subdivision or in a consolidated occupation, the solution may be to regularize the situation—and obtain title to the property. In the Reurb-S, social interest regularization, the Law No. 13,465 of 2017 The first registration, which grants the family the right to the property, is exempt from fees and charges.
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Who can apply: the residents themselves, either individually or through an association or cooperative; the city government; the Public Defender’s Office; and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The municipality is responsible for initiating the regularization process—start by contacting the city’s housing department or the Public Defender’s Office, which provides free legal assistance to those who cannot afford a lawyer.
Company Sweepstakes and Capitalization Bonds
Outside of the government, there are also house giveaways organized by companies as part of promotional campaigns. To be legal, they must prior authorization from the Ministry of Finance, which is now administered by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting. Only companies may apply: promotions organized by individuals are not permitted.
- Look up the authorization certificate number in the regulations. A legal promotion provides this number.
- See Public Survey on Commercial Promotions, by certificate number, CNPJ, or promotion name.
- Check to see if the company and the dates match with what is being reported.
A raffle for a house is illegal. The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting clarifies that raffles are not permitted under Brazilian law and are classified as unauthorized lotteries, a misdemeanor under Article 51 of the Criminal Misdemeanors Act.
Capitalization bonds that offer houses as prizes also require prior approval—in this case, from SUSEP. Check to see if the company appears on the list of companies authorized by SUSEP and look up the product using the SUSEP case number printed on the certificate.
Scams that use the program's name
Registration for the Minha Casa, Minha Vida program is done exclusively by the city government, by an authorized organizing entity, or by Caixa and Banco do Brasil, according to the Ministry of Cities. Be wary of:
- “Registration fee” or “enrollment fee.”. Charging is prohibited.
- Payment to “cut in line” or to take the right of way. That is also prohibited.
- Promise of a home through a Tier 1 lottery. Selection is not made by lottery.
- Pix request, deposit, or bank information via WhatsApp or social media to “give the go-ahead” for the house.
- Websites and profiles that are not gov.br, from City Hall or Caixa.
Unjustified charges should be reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there still housing lotteries for the "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" program?
The selection of families in Band 1 is not based on a lottery: they are ranked according to priority criteria. The lottery only determines which unit each selected family receives. Some state programs use a lottery solely to break ties.
Do Bolsa Família recipients have an advantage?
Yes. At least half of the subsidized homes in Band 1 are reserved for families receiving Bolsa Família or BPC benefits, or families with a child who has microcephaly, and these families are exempt from making payments.
Do I have to pay anything to sign up?
No. Registration and updating your profile are free, and it is prohibited to charge a registration or priority fee. Anyone who charges such a fee should be reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
I've already received a home through a government program. Can I apply for another one?
Generally speaking, no. Anyone who has previously received a similar housing subsidy is ineligible to receive it again, except for home renovations or improvements.
Does the federal government offer subsidized housing?
There is no federal program. Social housing assistance is a benefit provided by states and municipalities, with local rules. Contact the CRAS or your city’s social services department.
Where to Start
- Update the Single Registry at the CRAS in your city.
- Sign up for the city's housing registry — It's free.
- If the family's income is up to R$ 5,000, Simulate financing with an FGTS discount.
- Never pay a fee regarding registration or priority, and report anyone who charges a fee.
Scores, thresholds, and rules are in accordance with MCID Ordinance No. 333/2026 and the regulations in effect as of October 11, 2026. State programs have their own rules: always check the current call for applications.
