Evictions in the Quinta do Mocho neighborhood, located in the city of Sacavém, have been happening since at least June and have continued since, according to Kedy Santos from the Vida Justa movement.
“In the last three weeks, evictions have occurred, including one involving a woman who needed respiratory support equipment. She was put out on the street with the machine turned off, and it was us who had to eventually take her to the city’s services,” he recounted.
Kedy Santos also noted that some of the evictions occurring in this district of Lisbon are due to possible water debts rather than rent arrears.
“The SIMAR [Intermunicipal Water and Sanitation Services] are sending debts to the financial authorities, and if families do not negotiate with the finances, the debts increase, along with interest and the risk of non-compliance,” he warned.
The activist indicated that there are also people and families receiving eviction threats over water payment debts of deceased relatives who were contract holders.
“People are very upset, and some say that if they are put out on the streets, it could lead to violent situations. We are trying at all costs to prevent this from happening and to find a communication channel and some level of consideration, both from the residents and the executive side,” he pointed out.
In this regard, Kedy Santos announced that the Vida Justa movement would meet with Quinta do Mocho residents on Saturday to hear their concerns.
Contacted for comment, a source from the Loures City Council, presided over by Ricardo Leão (PS), justified the “evacuations” due to “prolonged non-compliance, illegal occupations, and repeated violations of social housing rules.”
“The cases being resolved relate to situations where, despite successive notifications and opportunities given for regularization of non-compliances, nothing was done in that regard. Upon taking office in 2021, this executive found a housing stock where 55% were in non-compliance. Today, as a result of rigorous, permanent, and socially responsible work, that number has decreased to 13%, ensuring greater fairness, transparency, and responsibility in access to municipal housing,” the council emphasized.
The Loures City Council also noted that “there is a waiting list with about a thousand families who meet all criteria, live in vulnerability, and have been waiting for years for a just response.”
“Good management of the housing stock requires that those who comply have priority, so the Loures City Council does not admit undue occupation or persistent non-compliance,” the council added.
