Amnesty raises alarm over escalating housing predicament
Warning bells ring as "Mais Habitação" measures scrapped
The worldwide watchdog has raised the alarm as the revocation of some measures in the government's housing program exacerbates the already dire situation. In a report published in Brussels, covering 150 countries, the agency stresses that the elimination of provisions like the rent freeze and short-term rental regulation could negatively impact housing access, worsening the ongoing crisis.
Amnesty International reports that nearly 13% of Portugal's population resides in overcrowded homes. This figure rises to a startling 27.7% among those teetering on the edge of poverty, demonstrating the grave vulnerability of the most disadvantaged groups. To make matters worse, the General Inspectorate of Finance revealed in June that a staggering 60% of tenants lack security of tenure, living in constant fear of eviction or facing exorbitant rent hikes.
Despite recent legislative changes, Amnesty maintains that these modifications have not been complemented with robust alternative solutions that guarantee the right to housing. The organization considers the potential ramifications to be troubling, particularly at a time when the housing crisis is most acutely felt in large cities and tourist regions.
Impact on housing affordability and security
The removal of crucial measures, such as the rent freeze and short-term rental regulation, could lead to increased unaffordability, tenure insecurity, and overcrowding. With these protections gone, tenants in high-demand urban and tourist areas face the added risk of exorbitant rent hikes and housing instability.
Threats in large cities and tourist regions
Tourist-oriented deregulation of short-term rentals may encourage property owners to convert long-term rental units into vacation lets, further depleting the housing supply. High-density urban areas, such as Lisbon and Porto, as well as popular tourist destinations like the Algarve, will feel the brunt of this shortage. Meanwhile, large cities already competing fiercely for housing might see gentrification, displacement, and neighborhood erosion escalate as property owners pursue higher profits through short-term and luxury rentals.
Legislative and economic context
The government's "New Housing Strategy" has introduced changes and repeals to the "Mais Habitação" program, such as the compulsory rental of vacant dwellings and extending certain rent supports. While some measures aim to improve market efficiency, others might erode protections for vulnerable groups. Additionally, foreign investors may enjoy favorable tax and ownership conditions, but these incentives do not necessarily cater to the needs of local residents facing housing shortages and could even exacerbate price inflation.
Summary
Revoking "Mais Habitação" program measures is likely to intensify the housing crisis, especially in large cities and tourist regions. This action may result in higher rents, increased evictions, overcrowding, and displacement of local residents, while potentially benefiting property owners and investors at the expense of the general population.
| Potential Effect | Large Cities | Tourist Regions ||------------------|-------------|-----------------|| Rent increases | High | Very High || Shortage of long-term rentals | High | Very High || Increased tenure insecurity/evictions | High | Moderate || Gentrification/displacement | High | High || Overcrowding | High | Moderate |
Conclusion
The scrap of "Mais Habitação" program measures may worsen the housing crisis, particularly in bustling cities and tourist regions. The abandonment of tenant protections and disregard for short-term rental regulation may lead to soaring rents, escalating evictions, overcrowding, and increased displacement of local residents, all while catering to property owners and investors over the general population.
- In light of the revoked "Mais Habitação" program measures, concerns about the impact on housing affordability and security escalate, particularly in large cities and tourist regions.
- With the absence of provisions like the rent freeze and short-term rental regulation, news about potential exorbitant rent hikes and housing instability in urban and tourist areas becomes a significant talking point in the realm of health-and-wellness and science discussions.
