A recent expansion of mass-housing programmes has occurred in emerging economies. The analysis of research on programmes raises questions about what type of research is produced and what its impact is on housing. The Brazilian ‘My House, My Life’ (Minha Casa, Minha Vida – MCMV) programme demonstrates that more of the same type of housing is produced and that the focus of most research repeats the same mistakes. Three million homes have been built and the research community has examined the programme’s social, economic and environmental impacts. A total of 2477 scientific studies on MCMV are analyzed. Few studies were found to assess living conditions from a user perspective at the residential unit scale. Although improvements have occurred on some social issues, the siting of housing on the urban periphery is problematic for urban mobility, social segregation and aesthetic monotony. Also, the design model does not respond to the diverse needs of inhabitants. Opportunities are identified for actions and essential missing research on mass housing. Retrofit strategies are urgent and social cost studies should induce change to the design model. Evidence-based research is needed to support policies and design processes for affordable and quality housing solutions that value users, their needs and aspirations.

Housing transformations have been studied over time. Numerous Post-Occupancy-Evaluation (POE) studies reveal user-initiated alterations occurring in Brazilian Social Housing (SH). These transformations have specific objectives, such as additional space, refurbishment, and improvement, or upgrading. However, results of transformations are not always positive, and may affect dwellers’ well-being through losses in environmental comfort. A critical investigation using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method analysed forty-seven studies to understand what needs and requirements stimulate SH projects' upgrading and how transformations impact well-being. In addition, an in-depth analysis was made to assess aspects of environmental comfort, safety, design, layout and economic aspects that affect people’s well-being, and improve their quality of life. Results contribute to supporting upgrading processes of existing SH and to guide the improved design of new SH projects based on the desires and well-being requirements of low-income families.

Housing is fundamental to the welfare of people and society. On the contrary, housing may impose costs on users as regards their health and quality of life. These costs are not only individual but also social. Studies on the concept of social costs (SCs) related to living conditions of social housing (SH) are scarce, and the concept needs in-depth debates. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to answer the primary research question: What are SCs, and what triggers them? The research specifically aims to identify spatial design factors and construction details of SH, which may cause adverse impacts and social costs and affect households' quality of life. The SLR results are analysed and discussed concerning the major concepts of SCs and social impacts (SIs). The visual representation and organization of data contribute to detailed and in-depth conceptual discussions to understand the factors that can induce actions to improve SH design and upgrading of the existing stock. Most publications emphasise physical and mental health risks. Poor thermal conditions cause illnesses, and depression is prevalent in many housing developments putting pressure on public systems and their health services. Social unrest and family conflict can impose further costs on policing and social assistance. Housing conditions’ cause and effect are rarely detailed in the SC literature, which constitutes a research gap. New housing design, Upgrading or refurbishment initiatives should also effectively increase well-being, reduce environmental impacts, and ultimately contribute towards positive social and technological developments.

Abstrac Social Housing (SH) is investigated worldwide, especially in emerging economies. However, SH literature demonstrates that there are still barriers to achieving the real benefits of those programmes. Brazilian SH programmes have positively reduced housing deficits and the vulnerability of low-income populations. However, studies developed in Brazil also reveal the negative impacts of SH. Investigating the reason for the recurrence of negative impacts is fundamental to gaining a stronger understanding of the causes and scope of SH problems. Moreover, state-of-the-art studies may support the development of actions to mitigate those problems. Thus, this study aims to categorise the major topics studied on SHs, identify and evaluate SH main failures and impacts, analyse intersections of topics, and understand their scope. A systematic review and literature mapping were applied to analyse SH studies. Although evidence emphasises significant advances in SH production, results demonstrate the intersecting panorama of occurrences that cause negative impacts and stress the need for investments and the implementation of housing public policies aligned with societal interests to improve SH.