The question raised by the Communist Party, reviewed today by Lusa on the parliament’s website, was submitted by PCP deputy Paula Santos and addressed to the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre.
“The reality faced by many higher education students, particularly the lack of public accommodation availability for those away from their home areas, is of great concern,” the deputy stated.
In Évora, according to the communist, “there is a significant need for public student housing, and the rent prices in the private sector are too high to serve as an adequate response to these needs.”
Paula Santos recalled that during the specialty discussion of the State Budget for 2025, the PCP proposed an amendment, which was approved, for the Government to commence the necessary procedures this year to convert the Messe dos Sargentos building into public student housing.
“With the new academic year about to begin and the 2025 State Budget law in effect for over six months, it is important for the Government to clarify the implementation status of this measure,” she emphasized.
The PCP deputy noted that “there are public buildings suitable for conversion into public student housing,” citing the Messe dos Sargentos in Évora as an example.
Two years ago, the rector of the University of Évora, Hermínia Vasconcelos Vilar, disclosed to Lusa that this building would be transferred to the university to be transformed into student housing, funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
At the time, an investment of approximately 1.5 million euros was planned for the building’s adaptation, aiming to provide around 40 beds, but no updates on the project have been released since then.
Currently, the building remains closed and still under the Ministry of Defense’s possession.
