Housing: Lisbon bets on public-private cooperation

At the end of the conference, Carlos Moedas said that the housing crisis is structural and should not be dealt with ideologically. "The problem is too big to remain a political or partisan discussion".

"We need concrete solutions," he said, to deal with the shortage of public and private supply and the sharp rise in rents. In the last decade, values have risen by 64% in Lisbon, while incomes have grown by 22%. "This mismatch has created a huge problem in our society," he said.

Carlos Moedas also highlighted structuring projects in areas such as Vale de Santo António and Vale de Chelas and defended partnership models for building housing, including affordable rentals. "The solution for housing has to be metropolitan and cannot depend solely on the public sector."

In his speech, the Lisbon mayor also stressed the importance of municipal support for rent, which subsidizes the amount paid by families when it exceeds 30% of their income: "Any Lisboner who pays more than 30% of their income in rent can apply, and the council pays the difference," he said.

Returning young people to the neighborhoods is another of the municipality's bets, he stressed, with the De Volta ao Bairro (Back to the Neighborhood) program. 700 houses have already been identified, he said, of which "102 are being rehabilitated to be available later this year. We want to help our young people fulfill their dream of living in Lisbon," in areas such as Alfama, Baixa, Belém, Graça and Estrela.

"We need a PRR Housing for the coming years," concluded Carlos Moedas, calling for the creation of a new European financing program dedicated to housing.