The monthly rent support subsidy, in force since May, will be paid today to about 150,000 families, retroactive to January, informed the office of the Minister of Housing.
In a statement, the ministry headed by Marina Gonçalves says that about 150,000 families will be paid today “the monthly rent support subsidy, promoted by the Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Institute, which has been in effect since May, retroactive to January.
Most families will receive the support “for the first time, thus joining the Social Security beneficiaries who had already received this support in May.
The Government recalls that “support with a monthly value below 20 euros is paid only every six months”.
The support, “in the group of more than 185,000 families eligible for the measure, can go up to 200 euros a month, and the average value is around 100 euros,” reads the statement.
The measure is part of the government’s More Housing program to combat the crisis in the sector, and will cost around 240 million euros per year.
“This support takes effect as of January 1, 2023, so families who receive it this month for the first time will be entitled to the missing retroactive amount,” he adds.
The Government once again alerts to the need for beneficiaries to have their IBAN updated either at the Tax Authority or at the Social Security Direct, since this support is paid exclusively by bank transfer.
To be eligible, tenants must have an effort rate (monthly income allocated to the payment of the instalment) equal to or higher than 35% and annual taxable income up to 38,632 euros (6th income tax bracket) and with rental or sublease contracts for permanent housing signed until March 15th of this year.
Approved by the Council of Ministers on March 30, the More Housing program includes measures such as the forced rental of vacant houses, the suspension of new local housing licenses, and the end of ‘gold’ visas.
Already in force are the diplomas referring to support for the rent and for the subsidization of interest on housing credit, which the Government was able to adopt without prior parliamentary discussion.
Presented on February 16, the program is based on five axes: increase the supply of real estate for housing purposes, simplify the licensing processes, increase the number of houses in the rental market, combat real estate speculation, and support families.
