“The demolition solutions for these structures must adhere to humanism and social responsibility. I am not the prime minister, but this week I will present solutions to also address emergency situations, like those being experienced in various municipalities in the Lisbon area,” he stated.
José Luís Carneiro spoke to journalists after a meeting with the president of the European Anti-Poverty Network/Portugal in Porto.
Asked about the situation in Loures, the socialist leader remarked that all these precarious construction solutions are not dignified living options and refrained from commenting on whether he maintains confidence in the mayor of that municipality, PS-elected Ricardo Leão.
Loures began a demolition operation of 64 shacks last week, where 161 people lived, with 51 demolished on the first day and another four on the second.
The operation was suspended following a Lisbon court order, after an injunction was filed by 14 residents.
Out of the 55 families occupying the demolished precarious structures, 14 are receiving support from the Loures Municipal Council, which reported having assisted 38 households by Friday.
According to municipal information, another 14 families found housing alternatives with relatives or friends, three declined the support, and seven did not express interest in the solutions offered.
Five families managed to access the rental market, benefiting from municipal support for the deposit and the first month’s rent, the municipality added.
