People left homeless by the recent flooding in Brazil are to be given free homes by the nation’s government. Deluges of floodwater and landslides claimed 830 lives and left thousands living in temporary shelters earlier this month.

President Dilma Rousseff said 8,000 houses would be constructed, of which the government will pay for 6,000 and the remainder will be paid for by a construction company consortium. The president also said the government would be allocating funds for flood prevention measures.

The flooding that hit the mountain area north of Rio de Janeiro is believed to be the worst disaster Brazil has sustained in recent history. As well as the heavy death toll and damage, another 540 people are still listed as missing.

The president and Sergio Cabral, the governor of Rio de Janeiro State, held a joint media conference where they announced the programme. Ms Rousseff said the homes would be constructed on publicly owned land and away from districts thought to be in danger of more flooding.

The initial subsidised construction costs will be borne by the federal government, with state authorities then taking over the monthly mortgage payments for poor families. The free houses will also be used to accommodate families who will have to relocate due to the threat of future flooding.

President Rousseff finished by saying that although state residents had gone through a traumatic experience, she hoped the government initiative would help ease the pain.