The concept of social housing in Chile began to emerge in the late 19th century, driven by population growth following rural-to-urban migration. At the time, people lived primarily in conventillos (tenements) and ranchos (shacks) under precarious living conditions. Facing a severe housing deficit, Chile took its first state measure in 1906 with the “Workers' Housing Law” (Ley de habitaciones obreras). Over the years, this policy framework evolved, leading to the creation of the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (MINVU) in 1965, followed by the Housing and Urbanization Service (SERVIU) around 1980—institutions that continue to manage housing policy to this day.
Alongside the development of these initiatives, laws, and institutions, Chilean housing developed various typologies. These included conventillos, cités and/or pasajes (pedestrian passages), continuous-facade housing, and housing complexes, all of which are now integral to the urban heritage of Chilean cities.
Some of these include:
