Cascais Mayoral Candidate Proposes 4,000 New Homes to Tackle Housing Crisis
The Socialist Party candidate for mayor of Cascais, João Ruivo, has announced a plan to address the municipality's housing crisis, which has seen rental prices for a two-bedroom apartment climb to €1,200 per month. The proposal involves a municipal development project aimed at creating at least 4,000 new homes for the middle class and young residents. This initiative is a central part of his campaign to challenge the 24-year governance of the incumbent center-right coalition.
Ruivo detailed the housing problem, stating, "It's not possible for a young couple to start out paying €1,200 in rent." His proposed solution involves a combination of strategies, including direct municipal construction of homes for rent at fair prices, support for housing cooperatives, and partnerships with private developers. The goal is to rapidly increase the supply of affordable housing in a municipality where property values have made it increasingly difficult for locals to live.
The candidate also addressed several ongoing urban development issues. He criticized the current administration's approval of large-scale luxury construction in central Cascais without adequate planning for supporting infrastructure, warning of future traffic congestion. The interview also touched on the controversial Quinta dos Ingleses project near Carcavelos beach. Ruivo stated that while the land is private, a different administration could have negotiated a more favorable outcome for the community, such as reducing building heights to better preserve the area.
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Another point of contention raised was the land deal for the Cascais Hilton. Ruivo questioned the financial terms of the sale, specifically why the municipality proceeded with a price based on a valuation that was over a decade old. "The price should have been updated," he remarked, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of diligence in managing public assets. This scrutiny of past development deals is a key element of his campaign's narrative for change.
Beyond specific projects, Ruivo outlined a broader vision for the municipality's development. He argued that Cascais must shift its economic reliance away from real estate taxes (IMI and IMT) and towards a more diversified economic base. He proposed the creation of a "motor cluster" to unite the local aerodrome, racetrack, and marina, fostering innovation and research in motorization. This, along with attracting more technology and green industry companies, aims to create a more resilient local economy.
The candidate also pointed out the disparity in public investment between the coastal areas and the more inland parishes of the municipality. He noted that over the past 24 years, major public facilities like sports pavilions and libraries have been concentrated near the sea, and he pledged to bring more of these infrastructures to other parts of Cascais. This focus on balanced development and housing affordability will be central to the political debate leading up to the election. Discover emerging areas and local opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.