The Ministry of Housing, City and Territory announced on March 10 the adoption of exceptional and temporary legislative measures in housing and habitat, following the declaration of an Economic, Social, and Ecological State of Emergency due to a severe cold front affecting parts of the country.
These measures aim to address the crisis declared by Decree 150 of 2026 and prevent its effects from spreading. The ministry said it will implement special procedures to ensure a rapid response to changing conditions in affected areas. This includes allowing both the Ministry and the National Housing Fund (Fonvivienda) to issue expedited administrative acts that set out procedures, requirements, amounts, modalities, and conditions for exceptional subsidies and interventions. These actions are intended to simplify processes for structuring, prioritizing, assigning, and implementing aid tailored to the disaster’s realities.
The ministry also plans to design and carry out exceptional interventions such as distributing material kits for self-management schemes and home improvement. Financial support for housing rentals will be provided as well. The ministry is authorized to intervene directly in affected territories even without prior agreements with local entities, aiming for timely execution of works and restoration of dignity for those impacted.
Additionally, under the state of emergency provisions, the Ministry may organize collective resettlement projects for communities whose homes have been compromised by the disaster. These efforts seek not only to assist those already affected but also to prevent further harm that could threaten other populations’ ability to remain safely housed. The resettlement process is designed to restore safe and dignified living conditions through coordinated action among government agencies.
Further information can be found in the accompanying official document.
