In relation to vulnerable immigrant families, the city of São Paulo created, in November 2014, the Reference Center for Immigrants (CRAI), linked to the SMDHC Coordination of Immigrant Policies and Promotion of Decent Work. In general terms, CRAI is a municipal public service of reference in specialized assistance to the immigrant population of the city of São Paulo, regardless of their nationality or status.
As the first public service of its kind in the country, CRAI has broad objectives such as facilitating migratory regularization, promoting access to rights and social, cultural, and economic conditions, inclusion, preventing xenophobia, racism, and other forms of discrimination against immigrants, a transversal perspective and multilingual ability. Among its various demands, the CRAI plays a fundamental role in supporting immigrant families in accessing the Municipal Department for Assistance and Social Development (SMADS) temporary accommodation/shelter services. In October 2019, the CRAI Mobile Unit was inaugurated, allowing itinerant service throughout the city. In 2022, more than 12,000 services were provided, the main nationalities being: Angola, Bolivia, Venezuela, Syria, and Guinea Bissau.