Government’s housing policies go to the vote today
Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructures and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, opened the debate in parliament on Friday (January 9) over a raft of policy propositions aimed at easing Portugal’s chronic affordable housing crisis.
Portugal’s MPs will vote on policies such as a reduction in IRS on rents up to €2,300 and a fall in VAT from 23% to 6% on affordable homes construction, as well as the simplification of a legal regime for urban planning and building (RJUE).
The Housing minister’s policy is to invest more in public construction projects to ease the housing problem in Portugal.
“We have no doubt that investing in the construction of more public housing is the best way to solve the housing crisis we are experiencing. The housing crisis cannot be solved with inflammatory speeches and good intentions,” he said.
The minister stressed that the proposals presented today represent the Government’s total conviction. “Only with a holistic vision can we build a solution for housing. Building on what is well done and correcting what went less well. These are necessary, bold proposals that the country needs to combat the access to housing crisis,” he added.
At the end of last year, the Government presented a set of fiscal measures to combat the housing crisis, which are being discussed in Parliament this Friday, January 9. This tax package includes not only families, but also companies and investment funds, to boost the construction and availability of housing for sale or rent at moderate prices.
