Lisbon Tenants Association Calls for Government to Prioritize Rental Market Reforms and Proposes National Housing Service
The Lisbon Tenants Association (Associação de Inquilinos Lisbonenses) has publicly urged the Portuguese government to take swift and decisive action on the rental market, stating that the Executive must prioritize measures to address the ongoing housing crisis. In a statement released Tuesday, the association highlighted the increasing difficulties faced by tenants in the capital and across the country. The call for action comes amid rising rental prices and recent statistics showing an increase in eviction proceedings, prompting demands for a more robust policy response from the government.
Pedro Ventura, the president of the association, articulated the group's position, emphasizing the need for structural changes to the housing sector. He argued that the current market dynamics are unsustainable for a large portion of the population and that incremental policy adjustments have been insufficient. The association is advocating for a comprehensive legislative package aimed at providing greater stability and affordability for tenants. This includes calls for enhanced rent control mechanisms and greater protection against eviction, particularly for vulnerable families and long-term residents who are being priced out of their neighborhoods.
A cornerstone of the association's proposal is the creation of a National Housing Service (Serviço Nacional de Habitação). Ventura suggested that this new public entity would be tasked with overseeing the housing market, ensuring the right to adequate housing is upheld. "We believe that the government's approach to housing needs a fundamental shift," Ventura stated. "A National Housing Service would be responsible for expanding the public and cooperative housing stock, implementing fair rent policies, and providing a formal support structure for tenants. It is about recognizing housing as an essential public service, much like healthcare."
The proposal has ignited a debate among policymakers and real estate industry stakeholders. Proponents argue that such a service is necessary to counteract the effects of market speculation and ensure that housing remains accessible to average citizens. They point to the success of similar public housing models in other European countries as a potential roadmap for Portugal. However, critics from the real estate development and landlord sectors have expressed concerns that the creation of a powerful state housing authority could stifle private investment, reduce the supply of rental properties, and lead to an over-regulated and inefficient market.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to the proposal from the Lisbon Tenants Association, but the issue of housing affordability is a high-priority item on the political agenda. The Ministry of Housing has previously acknowledged the need for action and has been exploring various policy options. The association's public campaign is intended to increase pressure on the Executive to move forward with more ambitious reforms. The outcome of this political debate will have significant long-term implications for the structure of Portugal's real estate market, affecting tenants, landlords, developers, and international investors alike.
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