In Rahamim City, the Alliance of Mercy project combines faith, dignity and sustainability to transform the lives of homeless people — and the land that shelters them

Ten years ago, Pope Francis published the encyclical Laudato Si', a prophetic and urgent call for ecological conversion and care for our “common home”. The document does not only deal with nature, but proposes a “integral ecology” that combines environmental protection with social justice, the solidarity economy and spirituality.

In the encyclical, Pope Francis states:

“There are not two separate crises, one environmental and one social, but a single, complex socio-environmental crisis. The directions for the solution require a comprehensive approach to combat poverty, restore dignity to the excluded and, at the same time, care for nature.” (Laudato Si', n.139)

It is exactly this proposal that inspires the construction of rahamim city, a project of Covenant of Mercy in Salto (SP), which is already in operation, although still under construction. The site, with 630 thousand square meters, is a true seedbed of hope for people living on the streets or in socially vulnerable situations.

Much more than a shelter: a new way of living

The proposal for Rahamim City, which in Hebrew means “mercy”, goes beyond the idea of a shelter. It is a living cell of a renewed society, where the restoration of human life in all its dimensions is the main focus. The city is designed based on pillars such as spirituality, ecology, solidarity, solidarity economy, culture, sport and alternative medicine. About two thousand people can be welcomed on site. Community life, training, prayer, coexistence and environmental care spaces are already fully operational, promoting rehabilitation, autonomy and social reintegration.

Sustainable architecture

Inspired by the principles of Laudato Si', Rahamim City uses environmentally friendly materials and sustainable construction techniques. One of the most important milestones was the construction of the Bethel Center, inaugurated in June 2023, with capacity to accommodate up to 1,200 people in monthly meetings. The entire construction was done with a focus on environmental preservation, from the choice of materials to the conscious use of natural resources.

Other sustainable initiatives include:

• Creation of community gardens and agroforestry;
• Planting cassava and other food crops;
• Ecological work groups with the support of universities, teaching practices such as the management of APAs (Environmental Protection Areas);
• Ecological trails, gardens and care for the local river;

The houses are designed to have a low environmental impact, with water reuse, solar energy and other sustainable methods, after all, “Everything is interconnected, as if we were one, everything is interconnected in this common home” (Laudato Si', n.92).

A city with purpose

Father João Henrique, founder of the Alliance of Mercy, is one of the most enthusiastic voices about the project. He states:

“Rahamim City is an example of our commitment to sustainability. It is a visionary project with a socio-environmental impact that combines housing, education and innovative environmental practices. It is a testament to our commitment to building a better world not only for future generations, but for those who need it most today.”

In addition to housing, the project foresees the construction of around 300 ecological houses in a condominium model, providing a dignified home for those who once lived on the streets.

Transforming the land and transforming people

Rahamim City is an extension of the mission of the Alliance of Mercy, which since its foundation has sought to restore human dignity, especially for the most excluded. For the Alliance, caring for the earth and caring for the poor are part of the same evangelizing mission.

“Caring for our common home also means caring for our wounded humanity. We must listen to both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” (Laudato Si', n.49)

Recognition and inspiration for Brazil

In September 2024, Minister Wellington Dias of Development and Social Assistance visited the site and stated:

“Rahamim City is a model of welcoming and caring policy that can be replicated in other cities in the country. Here we see a concrete example of how to unite faith, public management and love for others in a concrete action of social transformation.”

Rahamim City and the 2025 Fraternity Campaign

The project is also in line with the 2025 Fraternity Campaign, whose theme is “Fraternity and Integral Ecology”. The proposal is to mobilize the Church and society to change mentality and habits, promoting concrete actions, such as those already taking place in Salto.

In this way, Rahamim City is much more than a social project: it is a visible sign of the encyclical Laudato Si' embodied on the soil of Brazil. There, Christian spirituality and the charism of mercy dialogue with ecology, human dignity is restored and a more just, supportive and sustainable future is sown with hope.

To learn more about Rahamim City, follow the social media of the Alliance of Mercy and the mission in Salto: @aliancademisericordia @cidaderahamim

“We need a conversion that unites us all, because the environmental challenge we are experiencing, and its human roots, concern and impact us all.” (Laudato Si', n.14)