Faro Inaugurates €6.4 Million Housing Project to Relocate Fishermen and Reclaim Coastline
A new residential development comprising 49 housing units has been officially inaugurated in the parish of Montenegro, Faro. The project, a key component of a wider environmental and urban planning initiative, provides new homes for fishing families being relocated from irregular settlements on the eastern and western ends of Faro beach. The move facilitates the planned demolition of their previous dwellings, which were situated within the Public Maritime Domain and conflicted with coastal protection laws.
The project specifications detail a mix of apartment types to accommodate various family sizes, including 22 one-bedroom (T1), 15 two-bedroom (T2), and 12 three-bedroom (T3) units. These homes will be provided under a supported rental scheme managed by the Faro municipality. The construction timeline saw the project awarded in 2023 and completed this month. The architectural design focuses on providing modern, durable, and safe living conditions for the relocated residents.
Financing for the entire €6.4 million endeavor was secured through Portugal’s national Recovery and Resilience Program (PRR), demonstrating a strategic use of EU funds for local community development and environmental management. The final cost represents an increase from the initial contract value of €5.3 million. The project was executed without private investment partnerships, being a fully state-funded initiative. The primary contractor responsible for the build has delivered the project in accordance with the required quality standards.
The development required and received all necessary regulatory approvals and planning permissions, as it aligns with the government's long-term Coastal Zone Planning Plan (POOC) for the Vilamoura-Vila Real de Santo António stretch. This plan mandates the renaturalization of the coastline, which includes the demolition of illegal or precariously located structures. The relocation is expected to have a significant positive environmental impact, restoring natural habitats and protecting the Ria Formosa lagoon system.
The local economic impact is also notable, as the project not only provides housing but also represents a significant public works investment in the region. The relocation process was coordinated by the Sociedade Polis Litoral Ria Formosa and has been presented as a move towards a more sustainable future for the area. At the inauguration ceremony, attended by the Prime Minister, Faro's Mayor Rogério Bacalhau stated, “This step, difficult and laden with memories, is also a step into the future,” highlighting the project's forward-looking vision.
The broader plan includes the demolition of 49 specific constructions on Faro beach, with 37 in the western nucleus and 12 in the eastern. This will clear a significant portion of the 87 total structures currently identified in the area, leaving 38 remaining for the time being. No definitive date has been announced for the demolitions to commence. This initiative follows a history of similar state-led actions since 2014 to reclaim and protect the sensitive barrier islands of the Algarve.
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