The program started in 2007, but with the rising prices of accommodations, the program has been used more than ever. Porta 65 aims to help young people to be independent and start a whole new life in their own space, maybe in a different city, fighting the struggles of affording an apartment while beginning either an academic or professional career.

What does the law say?

The program was established under Law No. 53/2006 and was enacted on 7 August 2006. The main objective of the decreet law was to promote affordable housing while addressing the difficulties that young people feel when it comes to paying rent, especially in times when the rents are increasing. The Porta 65 program is being managed since then by IHRU (Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation).

Who can ask for Porta 65 support?

Only those from 18 to 35 years old are eligible to ask to be part of the Porta 65 program, in case the house is being rented by a couple or friends, they all must be around the same age range.

The applicants’ income will be evaluated, from every person that will be living in the house, as it is one of the crucial criteria to receive Government help to pay the rent of the house. Since the program aims to support those who have a lower income than the necessary to support rent, there are minimum and maximum for receiving the help. Still linked to values, the IHRU establishes a maximum of rent that may be paid, changing according to city, that varies in line with the number of rooms that exist in the house.

To apply to Porta 65, it is required to have a rental contract, that complied with the Portuguese Rental Law, with a minimum duration of 12 months. The support will cover part of the rent, making it easier for young people to pay the rent and use the money for other necessities.

How to apply?

Those who may benefit from the support should submit their application through IHRU’s online platform. Usually, the institute asks for applicants’ income, as well as all the rental property’s details. Then, all the information is evaluated based on the criteria described in the law and processed according to the data and available budget for the program.

What was the impact?

The Porta 65 program has helped many young people to start having an independent life in Portugal. By providing financial support for rental expenses, the program helped many people to save money while moving away from their parents’ house, keeping in mind that the Government has done something to enhance their independence, helping to pave their way professionally and even economically.

Is the Porta 65 useful?

The Porta 65 program shows how the Government may be committed to the youth population, by securing affordable housing, the program is supporting youth independence, leading to the economic and social development of the country. As young people, eligible for the program, they may see their expenses eased, it is easier to move to other places and enhance the economy of a certain city, without worrying about paying a high rent. The program is still evolving, and it is expected to play a major role in making Portugal’s future brighter while supporting young people, that may have very innovative ideas.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos