This Friday the government presented 30 measures to combat the housing crisis in Portugal. Luis Montenegro was the first to speak at the press conference and emphasized that the new program “aims to solve a fundamental problem.” However, he said the government was not promising “that tomorrow, with immediate effect, everyone will have the right to decent housing” but that the executive would “seize the opportunity”.
The announcement and explanation of the measures was made by the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz. Almost a month after taking office, executive Luis Montenegro is moving forward with many campaign promises for the sector. Among them is a state guarantee for the purchase of a house for persons under 35 years of age.
On the other hand, the government wants to cancel the measures of the socialist program Mais Habitação. Among them, the executive wants to put an end to forced tenancy and with the guarantee and replacement of the state as the tenant. These were some of the measures that IL presented in parliament, but which were not approved due to the abstention of the SDP and SDS.
Other proposals in this regard aim to stimulate housing supply. To this end, the Executive will move forward to reduce VAT to a minimum rate of 6% for rehabilitation work and housing construction, with restrictions and a price function.
“This is the extent to which we want to be fair. We are committed to finding a model that is fair and actually reduces prices for those who buy,” said Minister Miguel Pinto Luz.
In terms of stimulating supply, the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing assured that it was necessary to “get a response from the sector.”
“We must ensure that we are committed to the Portuguese, we will increase housing supply, but we need a response from the sector,” he said.
To “regain trust,” Miguel Pinto Luz ensures that one of the government’s measures, the approval of the Building Code, “is essential for transparency and safety” for tenants and occupiers.
To promote the development of young housing, the government intends to reformulate Porta 65, a program to encourage rental housing for young people. “A young person will apply according to their income and level of effort,” Pinto Luz said.
“There are gaps in the system today. We intend to achieve greater social justice. A fairer Portugal for all of us and, above all, for our children and grandchildren,” he concluded.
Author: Diogo Carreira This Andrea Churra Pereira
Source: CM Jornal
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