THE ‘RECOMEÇAR LAGES’ PROGRAMME: AN INTEGRATED MUNICIPAL POLICY FOR PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS

Abstract

The homeless population represents one of the most complex social challenges in contemporary cities, involving structural factors such as poverty, unemployment, breakdown of family ties, substance abuse, and insufficient housing policies. This article analyzes the proposal of the Recomeçar Lages Program, a municipal public policy aimed at the social reintegration of the homeless population in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina. The study adopts a qualitative approach, with normative analysis, literature review, and a local public policy case study. The program is analyzed in light of the fundamental rights established in the 1988 Federal Constitution, the National Policy for the Homeless Population, and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The theoretical framework articulates contributions from Lenio Streck, Pedro Serrano, Paulo Freire, Selma Garrido Pimenta, and Slavoj Žižek, in addition to institutional data produced by IBGE and IPEA. It is concluded that integrated public policies combining assisted housing, professional qualification, access to healthcare, and productive inclusion present greater potential to reduce homelessness and promote human dignity. The Recomeçar Lages Program demonstrates legal, institutional, and financial feasibility, constituting a relevant instrument for inclusive sustainable development at the municipal level.