The spokesperson for the residents of Talude Militar and member of the Movimento Vida Justa, Engels Amaral, has raised concerns about simultaneous events occurring in Amadora, specifically in the Mina de Água neighborhood. In Santa Iria da Azoia, within the Loures municipality, precarious housing has been identified.
Amaral reported that in Amadora, alongside Talude, eight constructions were demolished. In Santa Iria da Azoia, all houses were reportedly marked at the end of July, highlighting the presence of Portuguese nationals alongside immigrants in these areas.
Activist Amélia da Costa, originally from Guinea-Bissau but residing in Portugal since age four, pointed out that the phenomenon of shantytowns is not new. Many precarious homes recently reported were not built recently. “I’ve been in Portugal since I was four years old. I’m 48 now, so I’ve been here for 44 years, and I remember when I first encountered shacks in Carcavelos and Portela,” she explained.
Between 2024 and 2025, as part of the Voluntários a Semear Esperança movement, involving some members of the Socialist Party (PS), da Costa visited neighborhoods such as Quinta do Mocho in Loures, Zambujal in Amadora, and Talude Militar. There, they observed both shanties and ongoing construction activity.
Activist Catarina Paiva, also part of the movement, mentioned learning of cases in Almada and Odivelas through her fieldwork.
After visiting these sites, da Costa expressed surprise at local authorities claiming ignorance of such conditions, where people have resided for years or where new constructions have clearly been erected.
She emphasized that anyone running for local office should thoroughly understand the area, particularly the long-standing situation at Talude Militar. “Some residents have lived there for years, they contribute to society, they work, yet due to rising living costs, many cannot afford even a room, let alone a T2 apartment,” she lamented, noting the minimum salary is currently €870.
The construction often stems from desperation, a means to avoid homelessness.
However, Da Costa believes that following the scale of events in Loures, local politicians are unlikely to act on these precarious housing situations before the municipal elections in October.
She emphasized a shared responsibility between the embassies of immigrants in these situations and the Portuguese government. “Embassies should ensure these individuals have basic living conditions upon arrival and advocate with the Portuguese State. There is a mutual responsibility, both from those receiving and those who should protect,” she noted.
The activists propose repurposing unused municipal houses, increasing affordable housing, and temporarily utilizing equipped containers on municipal land as potential solutions.
