Press release - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Following the statements made by the CHEGA/Açores Parliamentary Group regarding housing in the Terra Chã neighbourhood in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment wishes to clarify the following:

1. On January 29, 2025, pursuant to an Order issued by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, authorisation was granted to launch the tender procedure for the “Works Contract for the 2nd phase of the Urban and Housing Redevelopment of the Terra Chã neighbourhood, including the construction of infrastructure in the southern zone and the construction of 48 dwellings.” This was carried out by means of an internationally advertised public tender, with a base price of €7,838,247.66 and a completion period of 450 days, within the scope of the RRP, and was therefore exempt from project review;

2. Although the price per square metre in this tender is higher [€1,508.70/m²] than the amount paid under the RRP and higher than the works contract price of other works carried out and currently underway on the same island and of a similar nature, no proposals were received from construction companies, thereby making it impossible to carry out this works contract as scheduled in the Recovery and Resilience Plan;

3. Given the lack of responses from the construction sector regarding the implementation of this project within the deadline set out in the RRP, the Government of the Azores has sought an alternative funding source for its implementation, having achieved this goal through the Azores 2030 Operational Programme;

4. The project review is currently underway, and this will be followed by the launch of an international public tender for the construction contract, later this year;

5. This Regional Government’s investment in housing is undeniable. As far as Terceira Island is concerned, there has been an unprecedented investment in the public housing stock, specifically in improving the housing supply and living conditions for families. This investment of over €25 million has resulted in 76 new properties, including the houses built in the São Brás housing development, and 192 refurbishment projects, including the Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Nascer do Sol neighbourhoods.

6. In view of the above, the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment categorically refutes the accusation that RRP funds were wasted on investment in the Terra Chã neighbourhood.