Unfortunately, housing construction was lagging behind the growth of population, and the capital was rapidly covered with pauper unauthorized constructions that is called «ranchos» in Venezuela. Tropical climate allows to be content with the most primitive roof above the head. No payment of utility services or property taxes needed. And honeycomb houses on the mountain slopes, surrounding the Caracas valley, grew like toadstools.
Ranchos have become a disgrace of the oil producing country, but it was only president Chavez who publicly voiced it and declared war on ranchos. The federal program «house in exchange for rancho» urged this kind of «private construction»: there is no end to those wishing to get proper accommodation at favourable terms.
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