The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity visited today a property in Angra do Heroísmo that will be rehabilitated and converted into a residence to accommodate displaced patients on the island of Terceira. This intervention falls within a project presented by a local citizens under the Participatory Budget of the Azores, the winning initiative in the Social Inclusion category.
 
Andreia Cardoso stressed that the contributions of citizens through the Participatory Budget of the Azores are "an asset for the Region and for all the Azoreans when they seek solutions towards economic and social improvements for families."
 
“The project is aimed at the adaptation of this property, with capacity for 12 people, in order to create a small-sized housing unit designed to accommodate displaced patients on the island of Terceira,” said the Regional Secretary.
 
“We are aware that traveling to a different island for health reasons, whether for appointments, exams, surgery, care or other procedures, has a strong economic and social impact on patients and their families at an economic and social level, which tends to worsen in cases of prolonged stays.
 
In this regard, Andreia Cardoso stated that "this initiative aims to create a space for a more family and comfortable living not only for patients but also for the accompanying person, also responding to the shortage of accommodation supply in some periods of the year due to the growth of tourism."
 
With a budget of 48 thousand Euros, this project also includes, besides the adaptation and rehabilitation works, the acquisition of furniture and equipment.
 
The intervention in a property owned by the Institute for Social Security of the Azores is expected to be concluded in 2019. It is located very close to the Santo Espirito Hospital of Terceira Island in the village of Santa Luzia, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, so as to facilitate the access to this health unit.
 
Likewise, two apartments will be rehabilitated on the island of São Miguel with the same purpose. This investment of 81 thousand Euros will create 12 vacancies for displaced patients and also stemmed from a proposal presented under the Participatory Budget.
 
Moreover, Andreia Cardoso stated that these Shelter Home projects are also the result of a proposal presented by the CDS/PP party under the Regional Budget for the creation of places for displaced patients on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira.
 
The Participatory Budget of the Azores is a democratic process, through which people can participate in the decision-making process on public investments in different areas of governance, namely Environment, Culture, Social Inclusion, Youth and Tourism.