José Manuel Bolieiro delivers 13 new houses and reiterates "crystal clear" priority on housing - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the delivery ceremony of 13 new multi-family dwellings in the São Brás Neighbourhood on Terceira Island, marking a moment he considered the fulfilment of a public commitment.

"Today, on behalf of the Government of the Azores, I am fulfilling this goal," he said, emphasising that the Government's responsibility is to "make social welfare and support for individuals and families a reality."

As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the 13 houses represent an investment of €2.4 million (including VAT) and comprise eight two-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom apartment. Overall, 13 households will benefit from this investment, covering 42 people (25 adults and 17 minors).

The houses are intended for permanent residence and are allocated on a lease with purchase option scheme, a solution designed to provide stability for families while paving the way for a safer transition to ownership. The purchase option can be exercised by the tenant one year after signing the lease agreement. The public tender ran from August 15 to September 30, 2025, with 257 applications submitted.

The head of the Azorean Government stressed that the Government's political priority is focused on people.

"We have defined people and families as a priority for governance," he said, adding that "people and families are the main purpose of the Government's mission, the political mission and public investment."

The President of the Government also pointed to the RRP as a decisive instrument for accelerating responses, highlighting "the important leverage that EU funds have given us" as this aid has been "crucial" in ensuring goals.

For José Manuel Bolieiro, housing has been taking on an increasingly central place in the Government's action, given its importance for the stability and future of families.

"Housing has emerged as one of the top priorities," he said, noting that increasing the housing supply in the Azores is "necessary for the happiness and life goals of families."

"As such, we have a crystal-clear priority regarding housing supply," he emphasised.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to assess the RRP Housing programme on Terceira Island. In terms of new construction projects, 37 houses have already been completed (including the 13 in São Brás), and 39 are currently under construction. In terms of renovations, 53 projects have been completed, and 139 are under construction. Overall, 100% of the RRP Housing procedures on Terceira have been launched, representing a total investment of €25,163,415.36, plus VAT.

At a regional level, the Regional Government has also launched all RRP Housing procedures (for the completion of projects), with a total of 767 housing responses, including renovations, constructions and plot allocation, with a total investment of €65 million.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, and the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira.