In Braga, during a visit to the Grupo DST, associated with engineering and construction, particularly of modular housing, José Luís Carneiro stated that within a year, it is possible to place two thousand of these houses on the market and, within four years, 75,000 to 80,000 modular homes with approximately 100 square meters, costing between 90,000 and 100,000 euros.
“If these solutions exist, if they are part of the country’s knowledge, and if they belong to national companies that drive the country’s economy, my challenge to the Government is to get out of their offices, get out of the air conditioning, come to the field, talk to people, talk to institutions, talk to companies, and address the needs,” stated the PS leader to journalists.
Until these homes can be ready—taking between seven to eight months—José Luís Carneiro suggests involving the Catholic Church and Social Solidarity Private Institutions (IPSS) to find temporary housing, urgently catering to the most vulnerable families.
“And then, within seven to eight months, more than a thousand homes can be provided. What you saw today are constructions with full dignity and security. We are talking about an average cost of 900 euros per square meter. This means we can acquire homes of 100 square meters for about 90,000 to 100,000 euros. It is a cost compatible with the State’s possibilities, in collaboration with local authorities,” emphasized José Luís Carneiro, highlighting the need to “complete local housing strategies.”
“I propose that the Government finally unlock the responses of the IHRU [Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation]. Municipal councils have been waiting for responses from the IHRU for months. Additionally, the State should finance and increase funding for the construction of local housing strategies, as they are significantly delayed for the country’s needs,” advocated the PS secretary-general.
Carneiro also sees the necessity to launch a national program for building housing at controlled costs, as done previously.
The PS secretary-general was asked by journalists if he feels ignored by the Government, having already presented proposals in Defense, Health, and now Housing, without receiving responses.
“My duty is to present proposals and alternative solutions. Whether the Government listens or not does not concern me. What we are demonstrating is that there are solutions to the problems: housing solutions, emergency medical coordination solutions, and the transformation of Defense investment into valuing and investing in the country’s economic infrastructure. The Government needs to be capable of listening and implementing many of the solutions we have in the country,” reiterated José Luís Carneiro.
According to the PS secretary-general, it is crucial “to show the country that there are housing construction solutions to address immediate and medium- to long-term needs.”
Regarding Defense proposals, José Luís Carneiro mentioned that “there has been no contact [from the Government] about the meeting” on this matter but noted that this situation does not leave him “disappointed.”
“By no means [does it leave me disappointed]. The Socialist Party has a duty, which is not only to criticize like many other parties do. It has the duty to criticize and simultaneously to express what it would do differently if it held executive functions in the country,” emphasized the PS leader.
