Lisbon Municipality Launches Lottery for 102 Affordable Homes for Young Residents
The Lisbon City Council has announced the launch of a new affordable rent competition aimed at providing housing for young people in the city's historic center. The program will allocate 102 homes through a lottery system to applicants aged 35 or younger. The properties are located in several of Lisbon's most central and historically significant parishes, including Misericórdia, Campo de Ourique, Estrela, Campolide, São Vicente, and Santa Maria Maior.
This municipal initiative is a direct response to the housing pressures in the capital, where rising property values and rental costs have made it increasingly difficult for younger residents to live centrally. The announcement was made by the office of Mayor Carlos Moedas, who framed the program as a key part of the city's strategy to maintain a vibrant, multi-generational community in its core neighborhoods.
The 102 homes included in the competition are part of the municipality's housing stock and are slated for significant renovation. These requalification works will be financed through Portugal's national Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), with a projected completion date of June 2026. The application period for the lottery is open until October 22nd.
In a statement, Mayor Carlos Moedas explained the rationale behind the project. "This is a good example of how we are adjusting housing policies to the real needs of people and the city," he said. "We created the first map of Housing Priority Zones, identified the parishes most affected by urban pressure and gentrification, and there we are intervening, renovating the Municipality's housing stock and making these more than 100 homes available to young people at affordable prices."
The mayor further emphasized the social and cultural goals of the initiative. "We are committed to returning the historic neighborhoods, the heart of our Lisbon, to the young people," Moedas declared. "We want them to be able to realize the dream of living in the center, with affordable rents that are within their reach, thus keeping the Lisbon soul alive for future generations."
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This program is one of several housing initiatives currently being promoted by the city. A separate competition for 86 affordable rental homes, which has no age restriction, is also underway, with applications open for the same period. These efforts reflect a broader municipal strategy to increase the availability of affordable housing options within the city limits.
The selection of properties in highly sought-after neighborhoods like Estrela and Campo de Ourique is particularly noteworthy. These areas have seen some of the highest rates of property appreciation in recent years, largely driven by foreign investment and tourism. By allocating municipal assets in these locations for affordable housing, the city government is taking a direct step to counteract the effects of gentrification.
The program's focus on renovating existing buildings also aligns with urban planning goals centered on sustainable development and the preservation of the city's architectural heritage. The use of PRR funds for this purpose has been highlighted by the administration as a strategic application of European recovery funds to address local social needs.
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