Livre Candidate Proposes Radical Housing Plan for Matosinhos
In a direct response to the escalating housing crisis in Matosinhos, Livre party mayoral candidate Diana Sá has announced a comprehensive policy initiative aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing. The proposal, unveiled on Monday, focuses on the strategic reconversion of derelict public and private buildings into affordable rental units and student housing, a move intended to provide immediate relief in the strained Porto-area market.
The policy objectives are clear: to guarantee the right to dignified housing by expanding the public housing stock and implementing a system of controlled rents. During her candidacy presentation, Sá stressed that the issue transcends traditional poverty lines, affecting a broad segment of the population, including middle-income earners. "The current market conditions, where a T1 apartment consumes over 30% of a moderate income, are fundamentally unsustainable and demand decisive public intervention," Sá stated to a capacity crowd at the Jardim Basílio Teles.
The implementation strategy involves a two-pronged timeline. In the short term, the municipality would launch a program to identify and acquire or facilitate the redevelopment of vacant buildings. In the long term, the plan advocates for the significant expansion of housing cooperatives. A key feature of this model is a stipulation that would return cooperative-built housing to municipal control if the cooperative were to dissolve, effectively removing the properties from the speculative private market permanently. This measure is designed to ensure a lasting stock of affordable homes for the community.
The policy would primarily affect renters, students, and low-to-middle income families currently priced out of the Matosinhos market. It would also impact owners of vacant or derelict properties, who could be presented with new incentives or regulations to bring their buildings back into use. The budget for such a program would require significant municipal investment, likely supported by national and EU funds allocated for housing and urban regeneration. Political support for the initiative is being sought from various community stakeholders and progressive political parties.
The expected economic and social impact is significant. Proponents argue it will stabilize rental prices, reduce housing precarity, and retain a diverse population within the municipality. The social benefits include fostering stronger communities and ensuring younger generations and essential workers can afford to live in the city. The plan will be monitored through key performance indicators such as the number of units converted, the average rental price reduction, and tenant satisfaction surveys.
This proposal aligns with similar urban regeneration strategies seen in other European cities facing housing shortages, though the emphasis on blocking the future sale of cooperative housing is a more aggressive stance against market speculation. Political debate is expected to focus on the fiscal implications and the balance between private property rights and the public good. The Livre party has indicated that this housing strategy will be a central pillar of its legislative agenda if elected in the upcoming October 12th elections.
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