"+ Housing" programme aims to increase affordable housing for families, announces Andreia Cardoso
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity announced in Ponta Delgada that the first public consultation for the "+Housing" programme will be launched in August, adding that "families are expected to move to their new homes by the end of September."
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the presentation of the "+Housing" programme," which is “the result of an alignment of wills and needs.” It provides for the possibility of increasing the public supply of affordable housing for families, “converting properties registered as Local Accommodation (AL) for long-term rentals to families who need affordable housing.”
"The programme arises from the alignment of the Regional Government's willingness to provide housing at affordable prices to a group of families who are still required a higher than desirable effort rate due to the effects of the pandemic in the tourism sector," stressed the government official.
This initiative will provide families with the possibility of accessing affordable housing, while allowing local accommodation owners to secure the commitments resulting from the investments made in these accommodation projects.
"The rules of this programme stipulates that families who meet the access requirements will only allocate a maximum of 30% of their income, thus meeting one of the Government's goals for this term, which is to improve housing support and make it more equitable," noted Andreia Cardoso.
The Region will sign lease agreements for housing purposes with the owners, superficiaries and usufructuaries of properties that meet the necessary conditions, with their express authorisation to sublet these properties to the candidates selected under the rules of this programme.
The leases to be paid by the Region to the owners of Local Accommodation units will have a general maximum limit, depending on the area and type, and a specific limit, which will depend on the characteristics of each dwelling, location, energy classification, areas, equipment and state of conservation.
The agreements have a duration of three years and can be renewed annually up to a maximum of another three years.
Regarding the access conditions of households, the Regional Secretary stressed that they have to configure an effort rate between 35 and 70% over the maximum lease amount stipulated for the area/typology of the Local Accommodation property.
"This is another measure implemented by the Government in the Region with the aim of reducing the effort rate of Azorean families with housing leases," said Andreia Cardoso.