Indigenous local governments: housing, challenges and contradictions (Costa Rica, 2023)

Abstract

Introduction: the Integral Indigenous Development Associations (ADII) serve as Local Governments for indigenous territories; this article exposes the particularities and complexities that arise from this role, as well as their involvement with the National Housing and Human Settlements Policy 2013-2030 regarding indigenous housing.

Main objective: to analyze the Integral Indigenous Development Associations (ADII) and their link to the National Housing and Human Settlements Policy 2013-2030.

Method and technique: a qualitative research approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews conducted in 2023 with five experts in the field and six members of indigenous communities (primary sources), the use of institutional sources from the Comisión Nacional de Asuntos Indígenas (CONAI), and an extensive search of relevant literature (secondary sources).

Results: numerous contradictions are evident between what the ADII are supposed to achieve and what they can accomplish, as not all have the necessary economic and/or technical resources for their assigned responsibilities. Most of the interviewees did not feel fully identified with the housing vouchers, leading them to make modifications to them.

Conclusion: the Integral Indigenous Development Associations (ADII) face daily challenges, mostly stemming from contradictions arising from their state-imposed role as representatives of indigenous territories without prior consultation. This reveals the need to carefully consider the process of representation and consultation in the development of indigenous policies.