Last month, the city council initiated a consultation with the private market, reaching out to owners of existing or future residential properties in the municipality, to establish lease agreements for 800 housing units with the city.
The aim of this measure, unanimously approved in a council meeting, is to increase the supply of private housing at prices affordable for families, with the consultation remaining open until 800 units are contracted or until a suspension is announced with 60 business days’ notice.
The initiative is implemented through the Municipal Regulation of Affordable Rent (RMAA), which expands the national Rental Support Program. It aims to address the increasing pressure in the rental market, ensuring that families with average and moderate incomes have access to decent housing.
The 486 housing units that the city council claims are now secured result from a proposal by Cosmos Sideral, a company based in the municipality and a participant in the private market consultation, which will proceed with their construction.
In statements to the Lusa agency, the Vice-President of the Barreiro City Council, Rui Braga, explained that the company owns land in the district and proposed to the municipality the construction and rental of all housing units as part of the measure launched by the city.
“Obviously, we view this solution very favorably, and we will respond positively to these approximately 500 units, which will be built by the private sector,” he said, adding that the rental process will then be led by the city council through a public tender and according to the affordable rent access rules.
According to current legislation, the maximum rent value will depend on the type, ranging between 500 and 875 euros.
The housing units represent an investment of over 85 million euros and are located in Quinta dos Fidalguinhos, an area with strong urban centrality. They will be made available to the city council in phases, immediately integrating into the local affordable housing strategy.
The Barreiro City Council claims that this measure makes it the first municipality in the country to implement a large-scale affordable sublease program within a municipal announcement with private sector participation.
“I would say that if it’s not the largest, it’s one of the country’s largest responses, to which we want to add municipal houses. We will have about 500 houses to respond to our middle class, to our young people,” said Rui Braga.
As part of the city’s requirements, the promoter of the urban operation will construct a new roundabout near Barreiro Hospital to improve traffic and mobility in this area, particularly during peak hours.
In the same territory, a complementary ecological-based commercial space is planned, the size of which has been adjusted to suit the urban area’s balance.
The Barreiro City Council indicates that these measures are part of a set of projects being developed for the municipality’s future, ensuring affordable housing for its population. In total, it is estimated that over a thousand housing units can be made available.
