Green Light for 10,000 New Homes in Lisbon
- Enerel Naranchimeg
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Lisbon, Portugal – In a major step toward addressing Portugal’s housing crisis, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area has received a green light to restore and build over 10,500 new homes. The IHRU-funded project, within the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), will bring much-needed affordable housing to the region.
Lisbon has been experiencing a severe housing shortage in recent years attributed to an increase in house prices and increased demand for low-cost housing. Approval of these new developments is seen as an important move in the fight against housing insecurity and improved accessibility to its residents.
The government maintains that this mass construction is aimed at accommodating middle and low-income families with the perspective of making it possible for the residents to afford living within the city.
“It's a vital investment in the reality of Lisbon being a city for everyone to live, not just visitors or the well-off," IHRU's spokesperson stated. "As rents and housing prices rise, these new homes will be a lifeline to thousands of families."
The project falls under the scope of Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), a larger plan funded by the European Union to help member states recover from economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Much of the investment that will go into these new houses will go into the refurbishing of already existing buildings to ensure that older buildings are given a new life and used for habitation. New housing estates will also be constructed with strategic planning to ensure that they are located in places with the best access to public amenities, public transportation, and areas of employment.
These approvals have been met with a mixed reaction across the board. Most residents and housing activists welcomed the move with optimism, as it was viewed as a gateway to making lives in Lisbon more affordable. City planners are, however, cautioning that the government must give top priority to the expansion of infrastructure and green urban planning to accommodate the city's growing population.
Ana Ribeiro, resident and housing rights campaigner, welcomed the plan: "It's good news the government is finally doing something to address the housing crisis. But we must ensure that these houses are genuinely affordable and not another chance for investors to make a profit."
Though the outlook is good, there are also flaws to be smoothed out. Analysts also add that the project's success will depend on good implementation, regulation of the real estate sector, and free distribution of the new houses. The government has assured that it will closely work with local municipalities and city developers to make sure that the project meets its ambition.
The permission for the construction of 10,000 new homes in Lisbon is a milestone in bridging the housing shortage of the city. Supported by the European Union's financial aid and continued patronage by the local government, the project stands to have a colossal impact on the lives of the people in Lisbon.
Since Portugal is still undergoing economic recovery and social stability, housing is a priority. This project would be an example for other cities in Europe experiencing the same situation if it is implemented effectively.
Sources:
댓글