Portugal’s PT2030 programme has allocated €656 million to housing, including affordable and social homes, student residences and staff accommodation. The figures were outlined by Cláudia Joaquim, president of the Agency for Development and Cohesion, in an interview with Negócios.
Joaquim said funding available for building or renovating homes had increased tenfold in the programme’s latest revision. The initial plan set aside €64 million for housing. The revised allocation includes €256 million for affordable housing and €315 million for social housing, with the remaining €85 million for student residences and staff homes.
Housing will also be the focus of a summit in Gaia, where local officials and builders are due to discuss ways to make more homes available at affordable prices in the short and medium term. The Northern region has €285 million available for funding applications: €200 million for municipalities to invest in supported and affordable housing, and €85 million for staff homes for doctors, nurses, teachers and legal professionals in less densely populated areas with limited accommodation.
Elsewhere in Portugal, the Público reports that fewer than 150,000 people receive the Social Integration Income this year, the lowest level since 2005. Experts consulted by the newspaper are concerned about what will happen to recipient families when the benefit is replaced by a new unified social payment from 31 December. The Labour Ministry had not responded to the newspaper’s questions about the start date or arrangements for the transition. The minister has acknowledged that some recipients may be worse off under the change.
Sources: Observador.