Chile's Techo Criticizes Lack of Innovation in Squatter Camp Policies

Ignacio Saffirio, director of studies and advocacy at Techo Chile, has expressed concern over what he describes as a "lack of ambition" in government policies aimed at curbing the proliferation of squatter camps across the country.

Saffirio noted that while NGOs like Techo maintain positive relationships with the state, recent administrations appear to have abandoned innovative approaches to camp policy. He suggested that the increasing focus on security and eviction measures, particularly within the context of a heightened public agenda on safety, has become the primary response.

"We see with some concern that in recent governments, within the framework of the public importance that the security agenda has taken on, it seems they have given up on innovating in camp policy, when there have been four governments seeing an increase," Saffirio stated.

He believes that an overemphasis on security and evicting families merely displaces the problem, rather than offering a sustainable solution. Saffirio called for greater creativity and ambition from the government to address the complex issue of informal settlements effectively.