Two extraordinary competitions under the Affordable Rent Program (PRA), initiated by Housing Councilor Filipa Roseta (PSD), were debated and voted on during a private municipal executive meeting. Amendments proposed by opposition councilors from the PS, PCP, BE, Livre, and Cidadãos Por Lisboa (elected from the PS/Livre coalition) were included, particularly for the measure targeting young people aged 18 to 35.
Regarding the PRA competition for young people, the PSD/CDS-PP leadership, governing without an absolute majority, aimed to focus the measure “specifically on young Lisbon residents, fulfilling the goal outlined in the Municipal Housing Charter to retain young people and families.”
However, opposition councilors suggested removing the condition of residing in Lisbon. The PSD/CDS-PP expressed willingness to “extend the scope to those currently living or who lived in the city within the last five years,” but the proposal was rejected.
“As the opposition did not accept this, the executive reached a consensus by removing the Lisbon residency condition, achieving unanimous approval,” the council stated in a communiqué.
The municipality plans to offer “a pool of about 100 apartments” in Lisbon’s historic center districts, including Misericórdia, Campo de Ourique, Estrela, Campolide, São Vicente, and Santa Maria Maior, which are undergoing rehabilitation under the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan and are expected to be completed by June 2026.
Presented at the end of the 2021-2025 term, this PRA competition for young people aligns with one of the commitments made by the current mayor and re-candidate in the municipal elections of October 12, Carlos Moedas (PSD), who stated in July that if re-elected, one of his priorities would be “creating housing projects dedicated to younger individuals,” particularly in the city’s historic neighborhoods.
Quoted in the communiqué issued after approving the proposal, Carlos Moedas stated: “Today we take a very important step to return the historic neighborhoods, the heart of our Lisbon, to the young. We want them to fulfill the dream of living in the center, with accessible rents within their reach, thus keeping the Lisbon spirit alive for future generations.”
In a note sent to Lusa, PS Councilor Pedro Anastácio explained that the initial proposal from the council “excluded access [to the PRA] for displaced professionals who, for work reasons, need to reside in Lisbon.”
“We now also cover those providing essential public services – police officers, nurses, teachers, and many others ensuring the daily operation of our schools, hospitals, health centers, and security services. These are people who seek to live and work in Lisbon and are indispensable to the city’s functioning,” he stated.
In this meeting, the council also approved, with the abstention of Cidadãos Por Lisboa, another extraordinary PRA competition aimed at individuals earning lower incomes than typically required and consequently unable to apply for regular competitions or the Supported Rent Program.
This fourth extraordinary competition will make available 31 homes, setting a minimum and maximum income limit lower than normally established by the PRA, according to the municipality. The previous three competitions with specific requirements, launched during the current term, have allowed for 120 housing allocations.
Additionally, the council plans to “soon” launch a new regular affordable rent competition, open to all, offering about 100 houses.
Currently, the Lisbon City Council executive, comprising 17 members, includes seven elected from the “New Times” coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança) who are the only ones with assigned portfolios and govern without an absolute majority, three from the PS, three from Cidadãos Por Lisboa (elected by the PS/Livre coalition), two from PCP, one from Livre, and one from BE.
[Updated at 20:26]
