Region recovering from decade of underinvestment in new housing solutions - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

The Region is recovering from a decade of underinvestment in new housing solutions. This was an "irresponsible political choice" on the part of previous regional governments that led to the housing deficit in the regional public housing stock that is still evident in the Azores, amid significant pressure on demand.

The announcement was made today by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment during the ceremony of laying the first stone for the construction of 12 new houses at Rua Calço da Má Cara in the parish of São Sebastião, an initiative promoted and implemented by the Municipality of Ponta Delgada under the RRP.

“In Ponta Delgada, the largest municipality in the Azores, we found a situation of neglect, stalled projects, and political irresponsibility. What did we do? We decided to take action. And we are acting responsibly, courageously, and with solid results,” emphasised Maria João Carreiro.

The Azorean Government is implementing more than 200 housing projects in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, including construction works, renovations and servicing of plots. They represent an overall investment (RRP and Regional Budget) of about 10 million Euros in parishes such as São Roque, Santa Clara, Arrifes, Covoada, Feteiras, Ginetes, Capelas, São Vicente Ferreira and Fenais da Luz.

"Our action reaches the parishes near the city and those further away as this new regional housing policy does not tolerate hesitation or empty rhetoric: it is a policy that moves forward, transforms and puts people and families first," stressed the Regional Secretary.

Maria João Carreiro also praised the “commitment, resilience and good work” of the Ponta Delgada City Council and its Mayor, Pedro Nascimento Cabral, in the municipal response to the housing challenges in Ponta Delgada and the “resulting cooperation” with the Regional Government to provide new houses.

"On the part of the Municipality of Ponta Delgada, we have relied on a diligent, available and committed partner that understands the urgency of housing and has been instrumental in ensuring expeditious licensing as well as technical and institutional support for each project," she pointed out.

According to the government official, "this partnership between the Government and the local authority is an example of how public policies should be conducted: responsibly, effectively and with a single goal - serving the people.