The lease incentive programme, under the Families with Future programme implemented by the Government of the Azores, has registered a high rate of adherence of Azorean youngsters.
Only in the first phase of the applications for the with Future Families Programme, which took place between April 1 and 30 this year, 299 households have applied, of which 172 applications were approved, representing a monthly support, allocated by the Region, of 32,406.08 Euros. Of the 172 approved applications, 55% corresponds to households whose holders are aged less than or equal to 35 years.
In the second phase, which was held from September 1 to October 15, and whose period of analysis is ongoing, 296 applications were submitted; of which 138 correspond to young applicants (47%).
The same situation occurred in the competition for the allocation of housing, launched by the Society for the Promotion and Renewal of Housing and Infrastructures (SPRHI), for permanent residence on a lease with a purchase option. Of the 274 houses acquired by the Government, 229 were awarded to young applicants whose average age was 35 years.
With regard to the Families with Future Programme, Ana Paula Marques also stressed that young households receive an additional support of 12.5% compared to other households, thereby creating “a positive discrimination.”
According to the Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity, the Families with Future Programme comprises all individuals under the age of 35 or in case of young couples not legally separated persons, property or in domestic partnership, whose individual age does not exceed 35 years.
Under the lease incentive programme, an additional support may be awarded for a one-year period, which could be extended for another period up to a maximum of four consecutive renewals, after which families may apply to lease support programme upon submission of a new application.