The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) undertook an extensive fact-finding mission within Brazil during 2002. This report is one result of that mission and was presented to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in May 2003 during its consideration of the periodic report from the Government of Brazil. The status of the right to adequate housing in Brazil is a study of contrasts. While many Brazilians reside in adequate housing, far too many live in wholly unacceptable conditions “ dwelling in slums, known as favelas, squatting in large tenement buildings, known as cortiços, or simply homeless. Furthermore, as the comparative analysis in this report details, marked disparities exist between the various States that make up Brazil.