President of the Government announces new programme for urban renewal and response to housing needs
The President of the Government announced the creation of the new programme designated as "Renovated House, Inhabited House" in order to give a significant boost to urban renewal and, simultaneously, respond to housing needs in the certain areas of the Region.
"We believe that this programme will give a very significant boost to the urban renewal and respond to the housing needs we currently have in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro. He spoke at the granting ceremony of housing support to more than 60 families from the municipalities of Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo.
On the last day of the Government's visit to São Miguel, the President of the Government sated that the "Renovated House, Inhabited House" will provide the owners of vacant houses who cannot afford the recovery with the opportunity to apply for this support programme. In turn, they are required to make it available to the Region so that it may be leased to people with housing needs.
"This programme includes a home ownership support component. Nevertheless, it has second component aimed at harnessing the huge potential of many degraded and vacant houses throughout the archipelago, whose owners do not have the means to rebuild them," said the President of the Government.
At the ceremony, Vasco Cordeiro added that, during this visit to São Miguel, the Government awarded support for the recovery of degraded housing to families from 38 villages located in the six municipalities of São Miguel Island, corresponding to an overall amount over one million Euros.
"The support for the recovery of degraded housing is just one of the components of the policy we have pursued in this area. In the case of São Miguel, the Government has already allocated 10.4 million Euros through various housing programmes since the beginning of this term, covering 1,000 families," said the President of the Government.
According to him, housing is one of the areas that has drawn the Government's attention. In this regard, it is important to mention that this year is already a milestone in the practical results of this policy, as we have already invested a record amount exceeding six million Euros in the recovery of degraded housing, supporting more than 500 families throughout the Region.
"The support for degraded housing is just one component of our policy for this area, which includes several programmes, such as the support for housing acquisition or construction, lease incentives, rehabilitation of termite-affected houses and rehousing in situations of serious housing shortage," mentioned the President of the Government.
Last Wednesday, Vasco Cordeiro announced that the Government will move forward with the allotment of land for the construction of more than 280 controlled-cost houses in various villages of São Miguel Island with the purpose of helping young couples to have their own home.
Overall, the Government will build 280 houses in eight neighbourhoods located in the villages of São Vicente, Arrifes, Feteiras, São Roque, Fajã de Cima, Fenais da Luz and Maia (municipality of Ribeira Grande).