Would you like to see Ireland introduce some of these measures?
As Ireland’s housing crisis rages on, Portgual has announced a rake of radical plans to help ease their own problems with housing.
Portugal’s prime minister António Costa revealed details of a new government programme titled Mais Habitação (“more housing”) which aims to make it easier for locals to rent and buy in the country.
Under the plans, as reported in the Mirror, there will be no new licenses for Airbnbs and other holiday rentals – except for in less populated rural areas.
On top of this, the country will put an end to its Golden Visa programme which offered Portuguese residence in exchange for investment, such as in real estate.
Ireland just last week scrapped its own version of the scheme.
A #habitação é uma preocupação central e transversal da sociedade portuguesa porque diz respeito a todas as famílias e não apenas às mais carenciadas. Mas também aos jovens, aos idosos e às famílias da classe média. pic.twitter.com/Jg1sCkEId2
— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) February 16, 2023
The Portuguese measures would also include the State renting vacant houses directly from landlords for five years in order to put them on the rental market.
Meanwhile, a new system to control rent increases would also be brought into effect as part of the sweep of plans.
“Housing is a central and cross-cutting concern of Portuguese society because it concerns all families and not just the most needy. But also to young people, the elderly and middle-class families,” Costa wrote on Twitter.
“It is a problem that has worsened a lot in recent years and no one can ignore the impact of rising interest rates and the brutal increase in rents practiced in the market.
“With the More Housing program, approved by the Council of Ministers, we seek to act in all its dimensions.”
Reuters states that Portugal is one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, citing low salaries, policies encouraging wealthy foreigners to invest, a tourism-dependent economy and inflation rates as causes for the county’s housing crisis.
The outlet also reports that it’s not clear when the measures worth at least €900 million will take effect with Costa saying some will be approved next month while others will be voted on by lawmakers.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
