FICA

What FICA does

FICA is a São Paulo-based nonprofit social-housing organization founded in 2015 and administered under the Associação pela Propriedade Comunitária, a civil-society legal vehicle that permanently removes acquired properties from the speculative real-estate market. Its core mission is to provide affordable rental housing and to influence housing policy, currently managing 12 properties totaling 53 housing units, 1,340 m², and 90 sheltered residents. The organization operates through five programs: FICA Apartamentos (low-income family rentals at R$310-R$380/month with no guarantor requirement); Morar Primeiro (a Housing First program co-developed with Padre Julio Lancellotti for people experiencing homelessness, prioritizing women-led families); Compartilha (a social impact investment vehicle offering property-secured loans at 4% gross annual return with 20-semester amortization, renting at roughly 30% below market rates); Moradia Estudantil (student housing, anchored by the Caburé building with 20 furnished studios 100 meters from USP, at R$800-R$1,000/month); and FICA Lab (incubator for related initiatives including Zeladoria Ativa, Design de Serviços para Moradias Sociais, MudA, and the FICAemCasa Emergency Fund).

The underlying operating model is community-led: residents are referred through a network of social movements, NGOs, parishes, universities, and government institutions rather than direct marketing, and the organization conducts outreach through its website, monthly newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, public events, and publications distributed via Pistache Editorial. FICA's revenue mechanics are diversified across monthly donations (R$25-R$500 tiers), one-time donations (R$40-R$500 via PIX, PayPal, TED), the Compartilha social-loan program (minimum R$10,000 investments), institutional grants from foundations including Henry Luce, Instituto Ibirapitanga, Stiftung Edith Maryon, Fundação Tide Setubal and Fundo Casa Socioambiental, and merchandise sales (mugs, shirts, bags, prints, books priced R$18-R$240). Recognition includes the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour and Melhores ONGs in 2023, plus the 2020 LabHabitação acceleration by Artemísia for the Compartilha project.

There is no proprietary technology stack: the organization uses standard digital channels for fundraising and operates a manual, relationship-driven housing allocation process. Key partners include MAB Advogados, Rubens Naves Santos Jr Advogados, and Manesco Ramires Perez Azevedo Marques Advogados for legal services; NU Arquitetura and Khondo Assessoria Imobiliária for real estate advisory; Pistache Editorial for book distribution; IRR Capital/Citas Co-Living for Compartilha financial modeling; Centro Gaspar Garcia de Direitos Humanos and ULCM for resident selection; and Movimento Sem Teto do Centro for community outreach. Leadership comprises Simone Gatti (Diretora) and Emil Lewinger (Coordenador Geral), with Padre Julio Lancellotti serving as co-idealizer of the Morar Primeiro program. FICA operates exclusively in São Paulo, Brazil, with 129 employees.

Name

FICA

Legal name

Associação pela Propriedade Comunitária

Website

https://fundofica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

FICA is a São Paulo-based nonprofit (Associação pela Propriedade Comunitária) founded in 2015 that acquires properties off the speculative market to deliver affordable social housing. It serves low-income families, homeless populations, and graduate students through five programs: FICA Apartamentos, Morar Primeiro (Housing First), Compartilha (social impact investing), Moradia Estudantil, and FICA Lab.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSALAKAO

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs

Financial & Insurance/Mortgage & Housing Finance/Housing Finance Agencies & Government-Sponsored Housing Programs

Keywords

• Social housing services
• Affordable rental housing
• Community property management
• Housing first programs
• Nonprofit housing association

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Monthly donations: Recurring monthly donations from supporters, starting at R$25/month, used to acquire new properties for social housing.
2. One-time donations: Single donations received to support property acquisition and housing programs.
3. Product sales: Sale of branded merchandise including mugs, shirts, bags, prints, books (What is an Ethical Landlord, Access to Land for Fair Agriculture), and kitchen towels. Products are priced between R$18-R$100.
4. Compartilha investment program: Social impact investment program where investors provide loans (mutual agreements) to acquire and renovate properties. Investors receive 4% gross annual return over 20 semesters. Investment is secured by the property itself.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FICA acquires and manages residential properties in São Paulo to provide affordable social housing for vulnerable families, homeless individuals, and university students. The organization funds property acquisition through donations, social impact investments, and merchandise sales, and rents the units at 30%+ below market rates without requiring guarantors. Beyond housing, FICA disseminates its community property model and incubates related projects through FICA Lab.

Product overview

FICA offers a portfolio of social housing programs and merchandise products. The core programs include FICA Apartamentos (affordable rental housing), Morar Primeiro (Housing First for homeless populations), Compartilha (social impact investment properties), and Moradia Estudantil (student housing). FICA Lab incubates related projects. The organization also sells merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, bags, prints, and publications such as 'O que é um Proprietário Ético?' to raise funds for acquiring new properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FICA Apartamentos: Core housing program providing affordable rental units at near-cost prices, with no guarantor requirement.
• Compartilha
• Morar Primeiro
• Moradia Estudantil
• FICA Lab

Products and services

• FICA Apartamentos Affordable rental housing program for low-income families earning 2-3 minimum wages, with rents priced at cost (R$310-R$380/month) and no guarantor required. Apartments are managed directly by FICA in São Paulo.
• Morar Primeiro Housing First program for people experiencing homelessness, providing furnished units (20-30 m²) with individual utilities and social support. Prioritizes women-led families with children, with gradual rent integration as families gain financial autonomy. Three properties acquired (São Bento José Labre, São José de Cupertino, Irmã Dulce).
• Compartilha Social impact investment program that acquires and renovates properties in central São Paulo neighborhoods, renting at approximately 30% below market rates. Investors provide loans (minimum R$10,000) with 4% gross annual return, secured by the property, with capital returned over 20 semesters.
• Moradia Estudantil (Student Housing) Affordable student housing program for low-income USP postgraduate students, currently operating at the Caburé building with 20 furnished studios (15 single, 5 double). Rent ranges from R$800-R$1,000, less than half of market rates. Includes common areas, study room, and collective laundry.
• FICA Lab Laboratory that incubates and accelerates projects related to urban/rural property and connected themes, including Zeladoria Ativa (collaborative maintenance system training tenants in plumbing, electrical, and civil repairs), Design de Serviços para Moradias Sociais, MudA, and the FICAemCasa Emergency Fund.
• FICA Merchandise (Lojinha) Branded merchandise sold via the FICA website to raise funds for new property acquisitions. Includes ceramic mugs (R$50), t-shirts (R$90-R$240), bags (R$70), kitchen towels (R$18), board games (R$60), prints (R$50-R$100), and books (R$70). Volume discounts of 5-15% apply for 3+ items.
• Publications (O que é um Proprietário Ético? and Acesso à terra para agricultura justa) Educational books and publications documenting FICA's community property model, international experiences, and ethical property ownership concepts. "O que é um Proprietário Ético?" (R$70) covers FICA's origin, partnerships, and international case studies; "Acesso à terra para agricultura justa" discusses fair land access in agriculture. Distributed through Pistache Editorial and FICA's website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53 housing units managed, 90 people sheltered, 1,340 m² removed from speculative market

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Fika ImobiliáriaminorOthers · 1 January 2021Real estate partner providing property-related services and expertise to support FICA's housing programs.
• Wealth Inequality InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network dedicated to socioeconomic inequality reduction. FICA's Compartilha program is part of this initiative, connecting people across social groups to address inequality through property access.
• MAB AdvogadoscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm specializing in third sector associations, providing legal advisory for negotiations, contract preparation, and due diligence in property acquisitions for Morar Primeiro program.
• Goethe-InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman cultural institution partnered on the book 'Acesso à terra para agricultura justa' (Access to Land for Fair Agriculture), discussing solutions for agricultural land access.
• Habitat para a Humanidade BrasilmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational housing organization sharing expertise and collaboration in social housing initiatives.
• IRR Capital / Citas Co-LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial modeling partner for the Compartilha social investment program, helping structure the investment framework.
• Empreendedoras Sin Fronteras/Flor de Kantuta (Casa do Povo)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization handling resident organization for Compartilha program, supporting the Bom Retiro neighborhood community.
• Paróquia São Miguel Arcanjo (Padre Julio Lancellotti)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParish represented by Padre Julio Lancellotti, co-idealizer of Morar Primeiro program. Provided financial resources, identified beneficiary families, and partnered on Housing First implementation.
• Instituto A Nossa JornadamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit connecting people worldwide to help those in need, supporting the Morar Primeiro program.
• Instituto VivendamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing innovation think tank mobilizing public sector, companies, academia, and civil society to support Morar Primeiro social program.
• Movimento Sem Teto do CentromoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized social movement for homeless families in São Paulo's center, supporting Morar Primeiro social project development.
• PlumatexminorOthersMattress manufacturer with 5 factories nationwide, donated mattresses for Morar Primeiro housing units.
• ViaçãopadminorOthersDigital platform with physical locations and human touch, donated refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves for Morar Primeiro.
• UninoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for institutional collaboration and student involvement.
• São Paulo LabmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation lab providing support for urban property and social housing projects.
• Pistache EditorialcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher distributing FICA's books including 'What is an Ethical Landlord' and 'Access to Land for Fair Agriculture'.
• NU ArquiteturaminorOthersArchitecture firm providing design services for property renovations.
• Khondo Assessoria ImobiliáriaminorOthersReal estate advisory services for property assessment and acquisition.
• Base UrbanamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban research and policy organization supporting urban property initiatives.
• PivômoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development organization supporting social housing innovation projects.
• Outros - Laboratório para outros urbanismosmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch lab developing alternative urbanism approaches supporting FICA's mission.
• Rubens Naves Santos Jr AdvogadosmoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal consultancy providing legal support for organizational operations and property transactions.
• MW Corretora de SegurosminorOthersInsurance broker providing coverage for FICA properties and residents.
• Hertz EsquadriasminorOthersAluminum and glass window/door manufacturer and installer supporting property renovations.
• Manesco Ramires Perez Azevedo Marques AdvogadosmoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm providing corporate and legal advisory services.
• Desis Lab (Parsons School of Design, New York)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign services research lab from Parsons bringing public service design expertise to FICA and similar institutions, funded by Henry Luce Foundation.
• Centros e Núcleos de Práticas Espirituais e ReligiosasmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious institutions providing support for housing programs.
• CEDACmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting social housing initiatives.
• Associações e RedesmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetworks and associations supporting FICA's housing programs.
• Centro Gaspar Garcia de Direitos HumanoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman rights center involved in resident selection for FICA properties.
• ULCMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization involved in resident selection process for FICA housing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Habitat for Humanity Brasil: Brazilian affiliate of the global housing nonprofit, partnering with low-income families to build and access affordable housing. FICA lists Habitat para a Humanidade Brasil as a strategic partner, and both operate in the same community-driven affordable housing space in Brazil.
• Stiftung Edith Maryon: German foundation that pioneered the community property (gemeinnütziges Eigentum) model from which FICA directly draws inspiration. Both organizations use nonprofit legal structures to take residential real estate permanently off the speculative market and operate it for affordable housing.
• TETO Brasil: Latin American youth-led nonprofit building transitional housing and supporting community development in informal settlements. Both TETO and FICA operate in São Paulo, target low-income and homeless populations, and blend direct service with advocacy and volunteer mobilization.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Global housing nonprofit and parent of Habitat for Humanity Brasil. Operates broadly across affordable housing, advocacy, and disaster response, with overlapping community-led and affordable-rental models that touch FICA's niche at much larger scale.
• Fundação Tide Setubal: Major Brazilian philanthropic foundation focused on urban inequality in São Paulo's peripheries. Funds FICA's Zeladoria Ativa project and operates adjacent community-development programs addressing housing, youth, and urban infrastructure in overlapping geographies.

Others

• Casa do Povo: Historic São Paulo community organization in the Bom Retiro neighborhood partnering with FICA on the Compartilha program. While not primarily a housing operator, it provides the community-organization backbone for FICA's resident engagement and broader cultural/social infrastructure in shared territory.

Emerging players

• Instituto Vivenda: São Paulo-based housing innovation think tank that mobilizes public, private, academic, and civil society actors around housing access. Listed as a FICA strategic partner on the Morar Primeiro program, with closely aligned policy and innovation focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fundo_fica
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundofica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundofica
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundofica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about FICA