Government of the Azores invested 4 million Euros in the housing sector on São Miguel Island in 2017
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity revealed in Lagoa, that, since the beginning of the legislative period, "the Government has invested nearly 4 million Euros in the housing sector on São Miguel Island," distributed by various support programmes provided by the Regional Directorate for Housing.
"The Government has allocated one million euros for the rehabilitation of degraded housing, allowing the support of 80 families on São Miguel Island," says Andreia Cardoso. She spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the works for the construction of houses in Paúl Neighbourhood, located in the village of Água de Pau, to solve housing situations.
With regard to the Lease Incentive Scheme of the Families with Future Programme, the Secretary for Social Solidarity mentioned that São Miguel registers an investment of around 1.3 million Euros in 2017 in the form of non-refundable grants that were awarded to more than 730 families on that island.
The Regional Secretary also stressed the importance of collaborating with partners through interventions undertaken under protocols with private social solidarity institutions and collaboration agreements with municipalities, which "the Region has been reinforcing."
"In addition to the partnerships directly established with local authorities, there is also a line of support for private individuals managed by local authorities, which represented an investment of 100 thousand Euros in 2017," said the government official.
"A very important aspect was the support granted under the Serious Housing Shortage component, representing a very significant part of the investment," emphasised Andreia Cardoso. According to her, the Government "invested over one million Euros" in the leasing of houses to solve the needs of families without home.
"Next year, we plan to maintain the level of investment in all this type of support on São Miguel Island by launching procedures throughout 2018 for the construction of a few dozen housing units in the neighbourhoods located on this island," revealed Andreia Cardoso. In this context, she highlighted the "significant increase" in the support that allows the provision of housing for long-term lease.
Today's visit also covered Prestes and Barões neighbourhoods the villages of São Roque and Fajã de Cima, respectively.
These contract works represent an investment of around 300 thousand Euros and are expected to be concluded by the first half of 2018.