Candidate Pedro Duarte of the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition has pledged to bring over 20,000 vacant homes in Porto to the moderate rental market. Reviewing government measures announced this week, he highlighted the importance of providing tax incentives to landlords and support for tenants. Duarte noted that the municipal affordable rental program aligns with current municipal values.
Manuel Pizarro, leading the PS list, emphasized the lack of affordable housing supply. He promised to construct 5,000 new homes with moderate rents and dismissed the feasibility of relying on vacant homes, citing a lengthy process to bring them to market.
Diana Ferreira of CDU (PCP/PEV) identified tourism as a barrier to affordable housing access, while also attributing the lack of solutions to state responsibility.
Independent candidate Filipe Araújo, supported by PAN, criticized unrealistic promises and committed to creating a task force to address housing issues. He pledged to expedite the Porto Solidário project, which provides rent and mortgage assistance for financially struggling individuals.
Chega’s Miguel Corte-Real criticized attempts to solve the issue with “a promise auction” and stressed the need to tackle bureaucracy for those wanting to build homes in the city. He also advocated for the continuation of the Porto Solidário program.
Sérgio Aires, heading the Bloco de Esquerda list, regretted the lack of focus on homeless individuals and those on waiting lists for social housing in discussions about the housing problem. He argued for investments in public housing and called for projects on municipal land in Monte Pedral and Monte da Bela.
Hélder Sousa of Livre highlighted that the issue extends beyond a lack of housing to include poor living conditions. He proposed a municipal plan to combat energy poverty and suggested that 30% of housing should be outside the speculative market sphere, advocating partnerships with public institutions and cooperatives.
Nuno Cardoso (NC/PPM) pointed out the isolation faced by senior citizens in the city and proposed creating a public cooperative incubator to provide them with municipal land for construction.
Frederico Duarte Carvalho of ADN blamed immigrants for rising housing prices, citing examples of crowded living situations, and held recent governments accountable for these issues.
Guilherme Alexandre Jorge from Volt portrayed himself as the voice of the youth struggling for independence, unable to move out of his family home. He supported investments in public and cooperative housing.
PLS candidate Luís Tinoco Azevedo emphasized the importance of involving “all actors” to boost construction and opposed demonizing Local Accommodations. He suggested that both hotels and Local Accommodations should be included in municipal containment measures.
Maria Amélia Costa from PTP noted the availability of municipal lands for construction and stressed the need to “attract private investment” via a municipal company to “finance properties for rent moderation to make them more accessible.”
Currently, Porto’s municipal company Porto Vivo – SRU is tasked with promoting urban rehabilitation and managing affordable rental units in partnership with private entities.
The current council includes a majority of six members from Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, along with representatives from PS, PSD, CDU, and BE.
The local elections are scheduled for October 12.
