Former Brazil President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to start radiotheraphy

The former popular President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will soon start radiotheraphy treatment. This is the latest stage in his treatment for cancer of the larynx, which he has been battling since earlier this year.

He’ll be starting his sessions at the Syrian-Lebanese hospital in Sao Paulo on 4th January as an ‘out-patient’ (a term describing one who is not resident in a hospital but attending regularly whilst resident at home). The treatments are intended to be one per day for about six weeks or so, whereupon progress and possible future treatment will be reviewed.


His treatment will run in parallel with continuing chemotherapy. Lula has completed three previous cycles of chemo and results have been encouraging ; the tumour has shrunk by up to three-quarters.

For many people the former Brazilian president will always inspire gratitude. This is because it was under his administration that the almost-revolutionary 'Minha Casa Minha Vida'  housing scheme was launched. It has provided- and continues to provide under his successor the popular President ‘Dilma’- the means by which millions of Brazilians of modest incomes can for the first time realise their dream of affordable home ownership.

Because of the scheme’s unique structuring, involving both the public (central government, the States and local government) and the private (domestic and international) sectors it also provides excellent opportunities for safe, ethical investments in the construction sphere. So far the whole project has made excellent progress as it approaches its third anniversary next March.

Many millions of people in Brazil have good reason to wish Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva good luck in his battle for good health.

article source : Brazil News

Mantega Predicts 'catch-up' within 20 years

Brazil’s rapidly-expanding society and economy has been prompting optimistic forecasts for some time. Most recently, it’s interesting to note the remarks of Guido Mantega, the country’s Finance Minister, speaking yesterday.







A number of institutions, including the prestigious UK newspapers 'Daily Telegraph' and 'The Guardian' have confirmed something about Brazil long expected in both countries. It is now official that Brazil has overtaken the United Kingdom as the world's 6th largest economy in terms of GDP. This is also agreed by a study from Centre of Economic and Business Research, an analysis pointed to by Mr. Mantega. In addition, a further climb up the ladder is expected by 2020 when it's expected that Brazil will increase its ranking to fifth place, this time overtaking Germany ( and by definition surpassing any other country in Europe).

The consequences for those wishing to invest in Brazil are interesting, to say the least. Of especial note is international property investment, especially that intending to meet the booming demand for affordable homes for the burgeoning middle classes. Mantega went on to remind people, though, that a national GDP doesn't necessarily imply anything for the 'per person' measure of social and economic progress. After all, Brazil has nearly 200 million people, more than three times that of the UK (and over twice that of the Federal Republic of Germany), so the average Briton still has a higher lifestyle than his or her counterpart in the leading BRIC country. Nonetheless, and even by this person-to-person comparison measure, Guido Montega predicts a rapidly-closing gap between the two and forecasts parity (or more) within 'five to ten years'.

Retail Figures in Brazil Up this Christmas but Less than expected.

A leading item of Brazilian News today explains that The Brazilian Association of Shopping Retailers ('Alshop') has just reported an increase in sales of 5.5% this Christmas. While a healthy increase, the growth was a little lower than expected, the Association's President, Nabil Sahyoun, commented. He explained that the statistics were compiled from the figures provided from 150 or so companies, comprising nearly 6.5 thousand outlets nationwide.


The analysis of the various categories is interesting. For example, cosmetic and perfume sales grew by eighteen percent since the previous year, a very similar expansion to that of jewellery.  On the other hand, children's toys only went up 4% (surprisingly modest ) and clothing of all kinds an average increase of only 2%. Of course, commentators disagree about the actual broader meaning of the differences but whichever way one looks at it, Sahyoun's conclusion (and that of Alshop) is one of slight disappointment with the overall results and increasing frowns at the 'everyday items' end of the scale. And yet, the number of retail outlets of all kinds in the country is expected to grow by over ten per cent next year.

In a sense, the fact that professional bodies such as Alshop are actually disappointed with a retail surge of over five percent is telling. It's not so long ago since any increase at all in the economy would have been satisfying. However, in the new expanding economy, sights have been adjusted upwards, often very markedly.

All this of course has to be seen against the backdrop of Brazil's rapid expansion in recent years of the average standard of living of her people. This is true not least in the sphere of affordable housing. More and more of Brazil's growing middle class can now afford not just consumer goods, necessary or not, but the crucial basis in their lives of secure, good quality housing such as provided by the Miha Casa Miha Vida scheme.

The growth of this latter foundation helps to provide people with the confidence to proceed with and afford the former. Both are linked, for 2012 and beyond.

message source : EcoHouse News

Yes, growth in Brazil in 2012 but Disagreement about Extent.

On Thursday this week Brazilian news reports that economic analysts at the nation’s biggest private bank, Itau Unibanco, agreed in principle with the economic views of President Rousseff. However, where they seemed to disagree with her was about the scale and extent of the nation’s economic expansion which she so confidently forecast for 2012 earlier this month.


‘Dilma’ (the President is widely referred to by her first name) optimistically announced to a gathering of journalists that she expected GDP to expand by between four and a half and five percent in the coming year. However, Ilan Goldfajn, the Bank’s chief economist was more pessimistic, predicting a figure more likely to be around the three point five level. He did however accept that circumstances may change to improve that figure.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s Central Bank has been cautiously easing the SELIC (Sistema Especial de Liquidação e Custodia) basic interest rate, starting in the summer with more cuts planned for the near future, as the level inches towards the 10% benchmark from its current rate of eleven and a half.

Despite the fact that some see the ten per cent as a barrier below which SELIC will not be allowed to fall, Ilan Goldfajn feels that is not necessarily as rigid a barrier as they believe.

All this has implications of course for international investment in Brazil, especially in the construction programmes creating the affordable housing schemes so important to the emerging middle classes. Most people in the industry are hoping that Dilma is the one with her finger nearest to the pulse of Brazil’s prosperity in 2012!
Alternative Ethical Investments, Invest in The future, Invest in Brazil For More Brazilian Finance, Investment and Property News visit Ecohouse Developments

Brazil’s Social Development Rapid but Incomplete

Some would say that in recent years Brazilian society has developed in a near-miraculous way. After all, according to many commentators, including Ecohouse Developments Ltd, the typical citizen is now not poor. In fact, the poverty-stricken former majority has shrunk and the middle-classes in the country have grown to comprise over 85 million people, a figure approaching half the overall population.


We must compare this with the much lower levels of relative prosperity previously shown by this leading BRIC nation (or indeed its fellow-members in the grouping today or elsewhere in the emerging world at any time).

But the process is not complete. On the one hand, If one looks at housing as the important indicator that it is, government-sponsored schemes like ‘minha casa minha vida’ have been crucial in the betterment of life for ordinary-earning Brazilians. In addition it has also benefited those who have injected their funds into ethical investments of this kind (affordable home construction) which make the whole approach possible. Obviously decent homes for not-rich people is not the whole story for social progression but it’s a very big component in the picture,

On the other hand, people in Brazil, or involved with her, are well aware that despite these advances much still needs to be done. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) for instance reminds us that six per cent of the population…over 11 million people…still live in what can only be called slums. These are spread throughout the country but over half of them are in the South East. A notorious example is still Rocinha with over seventy thousand people.

Commentators, however are guardedly optimistic. Society as a whole is determined to reduce these deprivation figures further and looks forward to making an even greater dent in the problem in 2012 and beyond. People concerned in the ‘affordable homes’ industry / movement are realistically aware of the challenges before them and will rise to them.

Anti-Corruption Drive in Brazil

Throughout 201,1 Brazil’s new President Rousseff and her administration have exerted themselves to reduce corruption in Brazil’s growing economy. While of course realising that the vast majority of public servants are honest (and/or cannot be proved to beotherwise) the government acknowledges a continuing, albeit reducing,problem in the leading BRIC nation.

They are particularly concerned to combat this social disease, says the President, even when it involves members of their own governing group. This refers to the seven government ministers who’ve left office ‘under a cloud’ this year, as a result of their (at the least) irregular dealings. In addition there have been other cases at more local or municipal level

It’s probably stating the obvious to say that perceived or suspected dishonesty/corruption in public life is as old as society itself, and virtually no country on earth is exempt. It varies though, from time to time and place to place regarding both its nature and extent. In a country like Brazil that places such importance on attracting
international investment, to be seen to be genuinely addressing the problem is vital. It’s also true for the retaining of public confidence in social and affordable housing schemes like the Minha Casa Minha Vida programme that’s proving so transformational for so many people. President Roussoff takes a firm line against all irregularities “We will punish all abuses and excesses” she insists (while cynics claim the Government initiative is just a drop in the bucket).

Currently the administration points with some pride to the results of its ongoing efforts. Nationally, more than 2300 civil actions are pending to recover stolen funds; this involves over 1.2 billion Brazilian Reais.

In the last few years the total of recovered monies has sharply increased, however, and while acknowledging the scale and timescale of the task still ahead of them, Dilma Roussoff and her team vow to
increase their efforts in 2012 and beyond..

Brazil Economy Set to Overtake the UK

Earlier this year several significant predictors forecast that Brazil’s rapidly-expanding economy may well exceed that of Britain by the year-end. According to this view it would push the latter’s ranking down to only seventh-place in the global league. Although the year has not (quite) ended it does look as if the neck-and-neck situation will actually occur, with both nations still in hot competition to get the final edge.


IMF reports and those of other organisations (such as the Economist) have seemed to concur. Naturally enough the news was greeted with great enthusiasm all across the Brazilian economy. Additionally the tidings were seen, too, as confirming a growing trend that the BRIC nation was heading to challenge in a serious way many ‘first world’ economies’ positions in the near future, not just that of the UK. All this is of great interest to those wishing to invest in Brazil.

While genuinely welcome and (probable), the predictions have to be seen in their proper contexts. First of all, the headline terms widely used in this area (‘overtake’, ‘surpass’ etc.) refer to the countries’ comparative total national GDP’s (both expected to be around the $2.4 trillion level) and crucially not GDP per actual person.

This means that the United Kingdom with a population of 62 million still has a much higher GDP per citizen than Brazil with her 190 million. But, there’s no doubt the latter is improving its relevant position on that measure too. Because of this fact, overseas property investment for example, for British capital, is growing in Brazil and nowhere more so than in construction.

This involves a broad spectrum of short term investments and longer ones too. These include the construction of the Olympic and FIFA championship infrastructure but increasingly focusing on the affordable housing market, linked as it is to the immensely popular ‘Minha Casa Minha Vida’ scheme for people on relatively modest means.

article source : ecohousedevelopments.com

President Dilma Rousseff has Confidence in Brazil

Despite recent problems besetting her government, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil remains confident about her country's economy. Last Friday morning she hosted a 'working breakfast' for leading journalists in her palace in Brasilia and used the occasion to project her optimism for the near future. "I am convinced that we'll have plenty of scope to lower interest rates to boost our economy" she claimed. She sees this as an important indicator for the strength of the national finances.


The President went on to state that she believed that strong and positive internal tendencies in Brazil will confound the international situation and effects. They will continue to provide excellent investment opportunities for financiers to invest in Brazil as well as a steadily increasing standard  of living for Brazilian people themselves. This is a win-win scenario.

She quoted the strong growth in the ‘middle class’ economic sector, an important component of which is obviously the housing aspect. Central to this is the government-sponsored scheme ‘Minha casa minha vida’ for citizens of average or below-average means.

The initiative, in which award winning developer Ecohouse Developments Ltd is playing a leading role, is providing, for the first time ever, many ordinary families with the chance to purchase decent affordable homes of their own. Some commentators have described this as nothing short of  revolutionary, in its combination of social benefit with excellent investment opportunities.

During the breakfast meeting Dilma Rousseff summarised her upbeat assessment of her country with a forecast of economic growth that some found surprising. She predicted a development rate of between four point five and  five percent for the nation next year. If true, the smiles that some greeted her with will be more than justified and certainly reflected on the faces of the nation's brand-new homeowners of modest incomes!

Tax changes in Brazil defended

Earlier this month a wide spread of tax-easing measures was introduced by the Brazilian government. They included aspects specifically aimed at helping not only domestic consumers and industries but also investors from abroad. Guido Mantega, the country's Finance Minister re-emphasised last week that this approach sought to balance financial prudence with protection of the people and their newly-improved lifestyles.


Brazil is very proud of the fact that over twenty-five million of its citizens have been lifted out of poverty in the last ten years or so and wishes to maintain and extend this progress. This obviously includes the spread of ownership of affordable homes, a vitally important aspect.

This priority is mainly catered for by the government- backed scheme ‘Minha casa minha vida’. This is specifically designed to enable many thousands of families on relatively modest incomes to consider owning their own homes, previously an unattainable dream in Brazil for all but the better-off in society.

Incidentally, from the point of view of private finance in the scheme, relatively short  term investments are set to reap very competitive returns.

On a realistic note, Mr. Mantega and his colleagues acknowledge that in harness with progressive economic advances, inflation must be guarded against as far as possible. In a developing ‘powerhouse economy’ such as Brazil’s,  this is a crucial element.

Despite the obvious challenges from both the international and domestic arenas, the public in  Brazil seems to be continuing in support for President Dilma Rousseff. As the country’s new leader  ‘Dilma’ (as she is universally known) is maintaining a seventy percent plus approval rating, despite some  well-publicised scandals affecting leading figures in the administration.

Brazil’s ‘iron lady’ seems to be providing a necessary core on which people still feel they can depend. This is no more true than for those contemplating for the first time their very own homes, their very own personal stake in the country.

Growing Links Between the UK and Brazil

There has always been a close relationship between Great Britain and possibly the leading powerhouse country of South America. To re-emphasise further the growing links between Britain and Brazil, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg led a delegation to the BRIC nation earlier this year.

The purpose was to develop ties further in advance of 2012, a particularly important year for the two countries.


A main feature will be the Rio +20 conference, a UN sponsored meeting on sustainable development which the UK coalition government claims as an important priority. In addition there will be further visits during the year from Prime Minister David Cameron, and leading cabinet ministers from his government including both the Chancellor (finance minister) and the UK’s Foreign Secretary.

People in Brazil and Britain are also both very interested in the Olympics. These are due in London next summer, and the experiences and lessons to be learned and shared are of great concern. Remember that the Brazilians themselves will be hosting the Summer Olympics themselves in Rio in 2014 and they realise the importance of maximising potential as far as they can.

Of course, these all provide investment opportunities. This will have an important impact on the Brazilian economy in general and the construction sector in particular. Naturally, this won’t just include major projects such as the stadium and other infrastructure in Rio and elsewhere which will provide international property investment possibilities.

Additionally though, accommodation/housing is coming into focus. This is with a view to extending homeownership facilities to more modestly-waged citizens and workers, through the Minha Casa Minha Vida scheme in particular.

Brazil Housing Growth Forecast to Continue

Largely because of the country’s internal economy, the Brazilian housing market has grown robustly during the last five years or so.

It’s also set to continue on that path for at least the same period of time again. At least this is the view of a number of overseas property investment pundits, (including Forbes’s Kenneth Ropoza) who pinpoint Brazil’s so far resilient economic infrastructure in the face of growing international problems.

This optimistic but controversial view is widely shared but not universally so. Nonetheless, proponents believe nearly all the indicators are pointing in the right direction.

Although overall housing prices in the BRIC leader have dipped slightly in recent months the discernable annual trend is still upwards. This is fuelled partly by projected easing inflation plus interest rates heading into single figures. Other important factors impacting on the country’s economy include the oil discoveries off Rio, the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup and of course the Summer Olympics two years later.

All these aspects are set to affect, directly and positively, not only the construction sector in general but crucially, the burgeoning affordable housing market. Central to this Government/Private priority is the Minha Casa Minha Vida scheme and important component, Ecohouse Developments This is, for the first time, providing literally millions of modest income families throughout the country with the chance to own their own home, their own property.

As a background indicator, recently, Brazilian President Dilma Roussef insisted at a briefing for top journalists that despite the international economic climate, the country can weather its problems.
She acknowledged both domestic and global originated difficulties but maintained her view that a growth rate in the national economy of up to five percent was achievable.

PIPA Resort: Tartaruga Residences (Launches 28th January 2012)

Construction work on our latest development project (Tartaruga Residenses ) in Pipa, Brazil commences on the 28th January 2012, This initial project in Pipa ( the first of many) will consist of 10 luxury holiday apartments set in beautiful peaceful surroundings

Proposal

We are offering a duplex villa of approximately 112 sq meters in a private development of 10 apartments. The price of the unit is UK pounds 100,000 to include all costs and furnishings. Each house will be fully furnished and will be completed by 30 April, 2012.

Upon completion the house value will be pounds 135,000 and have a rental income of approximately pounds 12,000 per year. It is intended to rent out the house for 6 months per year. There are 2 'High' rental periods in Pipa - the Brazilian High Season from 15 Dec through 1 March (ten weeks) and the European/American High Season from 15 June through 1 September (ten weeks). In addition there is a constant weekend demand throughout the year.

At current rents of pounds 70 per day, the house will yield 12 percent per annum on a cost price of pounds 100,000. In addition there will be about 5 months a year for the owner's personal use.

When completed (30 April 2012) the value of the house will be pounds 135,000. As property in Pipa has consistently increased at a rate of 10% per year, within five years the house will be worth in excess of pounds 200,000.

This is an ideal investment for someone wanting income, capital gain and a holiday home for personal use.

Latest Arco Iris Phase 2 Construction Progress Video

Arco Iris 2nd Phase completed delivering 92 units with another 26 units ready on 15th January 2012, All of these units are pre-sold meaning investors get a quick return on their money

Brazilian Real Estate market sees rapid grown in 2011

Over 2010/2011 the Brazilian Real Estate market has rapidly grown. This is part and parcel with the status as a BRIC Bloc Country as all of the BRIC Countries have been rapidly growing.

Brazil has attracted foreign investors and developers and ex-pats for some time and now at ever growing rates. As the Baby Boomers throughout the West move into their retirement years; there will be ever more interest in Brazil. The traditional markets of the Mediterranean and the Southern United States will once again inflate with the growing demand of the Boomers; putting more pressure on Brazil and other markets..

The Minha Casa Minha Vida programme a Brazilian Government social housing program to encourage housing construction and reduce the deficit in good housing in Brazil has been a resounding success and elevated the standard of living for the middle class.

An expected 3 million housing units over the next two years are expected to be built and award winning developer EcoHouse Group based in the UK has been given licence by the Brazilian Banks and Officials to build 5000 of these homes with teh help of investors

Latest Construction Updates direct from Brazil

Our web team post regular movies and photo galleries of the construction progress over in natal so that current and future investors can see how their investment is working for them.

visit http://www.ecohousedevelopments.com/arco-iris-construction-updates.php for 100's of construction photographs and videos

Dedicated Minha Casa Minha Vida Website Launched

EcoHouse are pleased to announce the launch of its dedicated  Minha Casa Minha Vida Website, The site has been developed to focus soley on the Minha Casa Minha Vida social housing investment and will grow to include much useful information.

The Minha Casa, Minha Vida (My House, My Life) social housing program was launched by the Brazilian Federal Government in March 2009 as one of the means of eliminating the inequality gap and housing deficit in Brazil (of over 10 million houses).

Just 2 years into the program the Minha Casa Minha Vida (MCMV) social housing scheme presents one if the biggest and most secure property investments in Latin America to date

click here to visit the site

Arco Iris Launches at la Caixa Show

It's now full steam ahead for Arco Iris, our Minha Casa Minha Vida Social Housing Development over in Brazil and this week we launched at the la Caixa Show.

Our development was the main focus at the Caixa show with members of EcoHouse Brasil Const. Ltda attending to answer question and give addirional advice.

more news

EcoHouse Receive OPP Award for Excellence

OPP Award for Excellence

Arco Iris Residencial, has won the silver award at this years OPP Awards for Excellence, held at the Excel London. The award was presented to the team at the Overseas Property Investor show

Brazil is booming.  With a strong economy and stable financial and political system, Brazil has, for excellent reasons, attracted the attention of international investors.Now, utilising our unique U.K. lawyer monitored Escrow payment structure, you are able to invest securely in the knowledge that your funds are protected and secured in a jurisdiction familiar to you.  Added to the government backed exit strategy (25,000 pre-approved end users in Natal alone) we have created the most effective and safe investment product available today.

EcoHouse Awards

EcoHouse Awarded New Europe Magazine Fast 50 Award

New Europe Magazine Fast 50 Award

The New Europe magazine has recently published a report, which recognizes the world's fastest growing 50 companies. EcoHouse Developments are proud to be name in the 2011/2012 list, and have been listed as 'Leaving a legacy, by developing properties' click here for more info

According to New Europe Magazine EcoHouse Developments have reached the very highest level of achievement in their field, and are a company who is driving their respective industry forward.

EcoHouse Awards

Escrow Account Explained

Ecohouse CEO Anthony Armstrong Emery Expains how the investment and the Escrow Account Works

more informative videos at http://www.ecohousedevelopments.com/ecohouse-tv.php

The Investment

Since its launch in 2009, MCMV (Minha Casa Minha Vida) has attracted numerous investment companies from around the world offering a range of different investment models, conditions and returns, Many UK and European investment companies started offering MCMV investment. unlike other UK based companies who are offering investment opportunities in MCMV EcoHouse are actual developers with their very own 300 strong team of construction workers, engineers, sales staff, legal and administrative staff based in Brazil, the UK, Singapore and Canada so are able to offer one of the best investment models on the market.

Many UK and European developers applied for a license to build under the Minha Casa Minha Vida Scheme over in Brazil but only a handfull qualified due to strick background checks by the Brazilian Government and the funding bank CAIXA. The task of building so many homes in a short period of time left the qualifing developers needing additional funding so they sort out investors.

The MCMV investment is unique and unlike any other property investments, investors can simply invest in one home and when its built and sold onto the waiting family the money plus profit is returned to the investor, this all happens within 12 months meaning the investment is not restricted to high end investors and a family or individual with minimal savings doing nothing in the savings accounts can make a nice profit.

The end sale price (or exit price) is set by the government so the ROI ( Return on Investment ) is also a set amount so there is no worrying about how well your investment is doing.

visit http://www.ecohousedevelopments.com/ for more info

Arco Iris Show Home Finished

Our first Arco Iris show home is now complete and open to the public. The showhome has received 100% positive feedback from both the public and the media, and is set to be featured in various upcoming publications relating to  Minha Casa, Minha Vida

More About our Arco Iris Development

Our Arco Iris Social Housing Development is Located just outside Natal, Natal  is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil.

Construction is really moving along as we have an expanding workforce of over 300 full time employees including 200 full time buildcrew on site in Brazil , EcoHouse are currently the only UK company actually legally building in Brazil under the Minha Casa Minha Vida social housing scheme.

What Is Different About Our Development?

EcoHouse Development own the land we are building on, and are fully registered with the Brazillian government, have all the required building permits and regualtions in place and our investors money is fully backed by Brazils largest bank CAIXA and Fully secured and protected by U.K. Legislation. U.K. Escrow account. U.K Regulated Lawyer through Lloyds London.

Our investors ARE now making a return on their money (within 12 months) and many are now re-investing in the next phase.

Please visit our construction updates page for images and video of our development

New Europe Run EcoHouse Cover Story in December Issue

"We are thrilled to not only be recognised as one of Europe fastest growing companies but to be featured in such a high profile publication is fantastic"

The latest Issue of New Europe Magazine is out now, the December/January Issue features EcoHouse SEO Anthony Armstrong Emery on the cover and runs  6 page editorial on our Minha Casa Minha Vida Development in Brazil.

Founder and President of EcoHouse Group, Anthony Armstrong Emery has a long-standing love affair with international property. He tripled the turnover of one of Europe’s largest real estate investment firms to £21m upon his appointment as CEO and has a tremendous amount of development experience on every level as a result. Armstrong-Emery established himself in South America some years ago and has been involved in commercial and civic development in the Caribbean basin for some years working in many capacities, developing and consulting for a wide variety of resort and investment projects.

Ecohouse Group was constituted as a real estate development and construction firm to explore investment schemes throughout South America in conjunction with Middle Eastern sovereign investment funds, institutional investment funds and private equity.

In 2008 Anthony Armstrong Emery created his companies in order to develop low-cost housing units for the Senate approved government-funded subsidised housing program. The company now controls land assets upon which to construct vast numbers of units as part of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida social housing programme



Arco Iris Social Housing Development

An integral aspect of our work is the Arco Iris Social Housing Development, which is located just outside Natal. Natal is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a north-eastern state in Brazil. Construction is really moving along as we have an expanding workforce of over 300 full time employees including 182 full-time building crew on site in Brazil.

Because of the popularity of the Minha Casa Minha Vida programme, all units are being pre-sold before completion. And as an indication of demand, eight days after the programme was launched in Natal, 25,000 families had signed up to purchase their home. Currently there is a 70,000-person waiting list and only 2,000 approved homes

click here to read the entire article

click here to view the full December/January issue of The New Europe

Arco Iris Development, Natal Brazil

Our Arco Iris Social Housing Development is Located just outside Natal, Natal  is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil.Construction is really moving along as we have an expanding workforce of over 300 full time employees including 182 full time buildcrew on site in Brazil , EcoHouse are currently the only UK company actually legally building in Brazil under the Minha Casa Minha Vida social housing scheme.

What Is Different About Our Development?
EcoHouse Development own the land we are building on, and are fully registered with the Brazillian government, have all the required building permits and regualtions in place and our investors money is fully backed by Brazils largest bank CAIXA and Fully secured and protected by U.K. Legislation. U.K. Escrow account. U.K Regulated Lawyer through Lloyds London.

Our investors ARE now making a return on their money (within 12 months) and many are now re-investing in the next phase.

article source : http://www.ecohousedevelopments.com/