The creation of a municipal program “+65 without evictions” to support those most in need and the possibility of the municipality accepting contracts with tenants over 65 years of age will be proposed by the PS on Tuesday at the Lisbon City Council. .
According to a note from Socialist councilors in the Lisbon municipality, to which Lusa had access, “the number of evictions increased by 17% in 2023, with Lisbon standing out with 330 requests to the National Rental Desk”, figures that are “far from telling what is happening in the city , since the biggest challenge continues to be contract renewals for much higher amounts.”
“The government’s recent proposal to stop stalling negotiated rent increases further undermines protections for tenants, especially the most vulnerable, such as the elderly,” PS elected officials stress.
In this sense, socialists Inez Drummond, Pedro Anastasio and Katia Rosas will propose at Tuesday’s executive meeting of the council the creation of a municipal program “+65 without evictions”, which aims to guarantee “legal support in matters related to housing, including the requirement to carry out work for which the landlord is legally liable, eviction actions, requests for reconsideration of the “extension” or objections to contract renewals and rent updates.”
The mayors also assert that “the municipality, through a preliminary analysis of services, assumes the contractual position of the tenant and that the council carries out market consultations within the framework of the Renda Segura program for the provision of housing to persons over 65 years of age.” seniors whose income is within the limits established for the Affordable Income Program.”
“In these cases, the amount charged by the municipality for subletting cannot exceed the 25% effort rate,” they state.
According to the proposal, in the current context of “increasing housing prices, it is essential that the Municipality of Lisbon uses all possible solutions to minimize the impact on current pensioners and retirees.”
Thus, the new municipal program, which must be approved by the executive branch and obliges the competent municipal services to submit the corresponding implementation to the municipal council within 30 days, should provide for “the provision of universal legal support for people over 65 years of age, on issues related to housing located in property or located on the basis of a lease or loan agreement,” including working through protocols, for example, “with the Bar Association.”
Legal support may include, but is not limited to, “opposing contract renewals, updating rent values, testing the validity of provisions contained in the lease, prepayment of rent, payment or return of security deposits,” among other issues.
The tenant may request, “regardless of the income received” and after a preliminary analysis of the services, that the municipality assumes the position “in the lease or loan agreement for housing – the first home – regardless of the permission of the landlord, sublease.” the original tenant, whether they are in litigation or facing imminent eviction.”
The proposal also provides for “guarantee of housing in the event of eviction or imminent eviction to persons over 65 years of age who fall within the income limits defined for the Affordable Income Scheme” according to “proximity criteria, preferably at a block or ward level”, namely through market consultation in as part of the Renda Segura program.
The goal is to “ensure security in old age by protecting lifestyle, routines and habits.”
In the case of municipal housing, it is proposed that, to the extent of income determined for the Affordable Income Program, “a maximum effort rate of 25% shall apply, without prejudice” to the barriers provided for in the Municipal Right to Housing Ordinance. Frame.
The proposal would also include “in the budget line the necessary amounts” to implement the program and would authorize Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) to “go to the government and the Assembly of the Republic to call for the necessary legislative measures.” change” so that the municipality can take the contractual position of tenants.
The executive body of the Lisbon Chamber, consisting of 17 members, includes seven elected members of the Novos Tempos coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Alliance) – the only ones with responsibilities and who govern without an absolute majority – three from the PS, two from the PCP, three from Cidadan for Lisbon (elected by the PS/Livre coalition), one from Livre and one from the Bloc de Esquerda.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.