Barreiro's Livre/Left Bloc Coalition Unveils Housing Cooperative Plan for Municipal Elections
In a public session organized by the Rotary Club of Barreiro, candidates from the Livre and Left Bloc coalition presented their joint platform for the upcoming municipal elections, identifying housing as a central pillar of their political strategy. Flávio Oliveira of Livre and Francisco Alves of the Left Bloc detailed a series of proposals aimed at addressing what they term a national housing problem with local solutions, focusing on affordability and combating real estate speculation in the Lisbon metropolitan area municipality.
The coalition's primary housing policy objective is the establishment of non-profit housing cooperatives. Oliveira explained that this model, structured as entities that are simultaneously companies and associations, would enable the development of properties at significantly more accessible prices for the population. The proposal outlines a key role for the Barreiro City Council, which would act as an intermediary, providing essential legal and financial support to facilitate the creation and operation of these cooperatives. The stated goals of this initiative are to improve housing conditions for Barreiro's residents, attract skilled professionals to the city, and directly counter the pressures of property speculation.
The policy announcement also included a plan to address vacant properties. Candidate Francisco Alves specifically highlighted the problematic housing situations in the Quinta da Mina and Quinta da Amoreira neighborhoods, emphasizing the coalition's intent to push for the rehabilitation of derelict housing stock to make more units available for the rental market. This measure is designed to increase the overall housing supply and provide immediate relief to those struggling to find affordable homes.
Beyond housing, the platform presented a comprehensive vision for the municipality's development, structured around the additional pillars of Mobility and the Environment. In terms of mobility, the coalition proposes the full public ownership of the Barreiro Collective Transport (TCB) service, with an accompanying commitment to increase employee wages. Their plan also includes a significant expansion of the city's network of ciclovias (bicycle paths) and the proposed construction of a new transportation link connecting Barreiro and Seixal to enhance regional connectivity.
On the environmental front, the candidates detailed a proposal for the creation of a large-scale "green corridor." This ecological infrastructure would connect various green spaces across the city, from the former CUF industrial site and Quinta do Braancamp to the river terminal and the Coina salt marsh. The project aims to improve biodiversity, mitigate urban heat island effects, and expand public leisure areas, strengthening the connection between the urban environment and the surrounding natural landscapes, including the Tagus River estuary.
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During the session, Flávio Oliveira, a biologist by profession, framed the environmental and sustainability proposals as integral to the overall quality of life in the municipality. He also spoke on the need for improved waste management systems, including measures to encourage the reduction of single-use plastics and the reuse of materials in both domestic and industrial contexts.
The political platform extends to other public services, with the coalition advocating for the creation of a network of free public daycare centers, improved conditions to attract teachers to the municipality, and the enhancement of psychological support services for children in schools. The candidates also addressed public health, noting the insufficient number of family doctors and the challenges facing the Barreiro/Montijo Hospital, particularly in its emergency and obstetrics departments.
The session, which included a question-and-answer period with the public, provided a detailed look at the policy agenda of the Livre/Left Bloc coalition. Their proposals signal a clear intent to prioritize social and public interventions in the housing market, should they be successful in the forthcoming elections. The focus on cooperative models and the rehabilitation of existing buildings represents a distinct approach to urban development in the region.
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