PTP Candidate in Ribeira Brava Proposes Converting Abandoned Houses into Social Rentals
Joel Abreu, the head of the Portuguese Labour Party (PTP) list for the Ribeira Brava municipal elections, has announced that tackling the housing crisis by converting abandoned homes into social and low-rent housing will be a central priority if his party is elected. The 44-year-old cook, a long-time resident of the municipality on Madeira's west coast, presented a wide-ranging platform covering housing, tourism, and economic development.
In a statement to the Lusa news agency, Abreu detailed his plan to address the housing shortage that affects many local residents, particularly younger generations. The proposal involves a municipal-led initiative to identify and reclaim abandoned houses within the council's territory. These properties would then be renovated and transformed into a public stock of social housing units and affordable rental homes. The target demographic for this program is explicitly stated as "young people who wish to start a life project and form a family" in Ribeira Brava.
This policy represents a direct intervention in the local housing market, aiming to increase the supply of affordable homes by utilizing existing but derelict building stock. The candidate clarified that this would be a cornerstone of his administration's social policy, alongside a proposal to rehabilitate other vacant public buildings, such as former primary schools, and convert them into day centers for the elderly population.
The housing plan is part of a broader vision for the socioeconomic development of the municipality. Abreu also outlined significant investments in tourism infrastructure. His proposals include the reopening of the Calhau da Lapa bathing area, a popular local spot currently closed due to safety concerns over cliff instability. To ensure safe access, he proposes the construction of a new cable car to the site. Additionally, the PTP platform calls for a major requalification of the Ribeira Brava seafront and pier, as well as the restoration of numerous pedestrian trails and levadas to bolster the region's appeal to tourists.
To stimulate the local economy, Abreu advocates for the creation of a new municipal market to provide a direct sales channel for local agricultural producers. He also plans to establish a support office for new entrepreneurs and business ventures, which would operate in partnership with the Madeira Employment Institute (Instituto de Emprego da Madeira).
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The candidate, who has been a PTP militant for a decade, emphasized that his proposals are designed as a mix of short, medium, and long-term projects. In the agricultural sector, he proposes new lines of support to help farmers diversify their production and invest in mechanization, along with improvements to the municipal irrigation network.
Regarding mobility, the PTP program includes the paving of several local roads and a new urban plan focused on creating more public parking. The plan also calls for an expansion of energy-efficient LED public lighting and new road safety campaigns. Specific changes to traffic flow within the town of Ribeira Brava are also proposed to improve circulation, alongside enhanced public transport options for elderly residents.
Abreu's candidacy introduces a set of socially focused, interventionist policies into the local political debate. The proposal to convert abandoned homes is particularly significant, as it reflects a growing trend in Portugal of seeking creative solutions to the housing crisis. The outcome of the election in Ribeira Brava will determine whether these ambitious plans for housing and development will be put into practice.
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