en 
“We have not heard of tax measures for young people here today, because the problem of young people lies precisely in salaries, access to housing or cultural enjoyment. It is precisely in these dimensions that we have to respond”, stated the former Minister of Housing.
Marina Gonçalves was speaking as a guest speaker at the 19th Regional Congress of the PS/Azores, which has been taking place since Friday at the Teatro Micaelense, in Ponta Delgada, with a speech dedicated to housing policies.
Arguing that it is necessary to “truly understand where the real problems” in society lie, the socialist warned of the importance of guaranteeing “better salaries for young people” and housing “compatible with the family income”.
“We must continue to demand that investment in housing takes the form of more public housing, more partnerships. Basically, more housing with prices compatible with family income”, she stressed.
Marina Gonçalves admitted that the “State, over the years, in recent decades, has not been able to strengthen the response” in terms of access to housing, but argued that there was a “very large investment in the construction of public housing” during the eight years of PS government under the leadership of António Costa.
“The public sector will never replace the private sector and the cooperative sector, but the public sector must grow and the private and cooperative sectors must, in fact, contribute to the construction of this housing stock at affordable costs”, argued the MP.
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
Română
中文
Türkçe
हिन्दी
Português
Українська
اردو
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Afrikaans
Português (Brasil)
1. We have not heard of tax measures for young people but also not the middle aged nor old people if you like however. We have certainly heard, seen, experienced ‘Multiple Tax Schemes' for all the rest:
While it’s true that foreign buyers account for a relatively small percentage of overall property purchases (estimated at around 10-11%), the concentration of their purchases in key urban centres, such as Lisbon and Porto, has a disproportionate impact on 'local housing markets'. Foreign investors often have much higher PPP’s (purchasing power), which drives prices up in the areas where demand is highest. In 2022, 'average property prices' in Lisbon increased by around '150-200%' over the last decade, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for the average Portuguese citizen(Portugal News).
2. Abandoned Properties in Rural Areas:
Yes it’s correct that foreigners are investing in abandoned properties in rural areas and this can indeed help revitalise 'impoverished villages' and create jobs however. This has never solved the 'urban and non-urban housing crisis', where the majority of the population lives and works. While rural development is welcome, it doesn't address the reality that many locals are being priced out of Lisbon, Porto and other urban hubs due to the high demand from foreign buyers with greater 'purchasing power parity (PPP)' (EU Migrant Integration).
By Miguel from Lisbon on 01 Oct 2024, 19:59
3. Should The Public sector ever replace the Private Sector and vice-versa or should they co-create some level | minimum intelligence and work together?:
A right to afford property" touches on an important point about hard work and personal responsibility. But it is ‘intelligent’ if not crucial to remember that **economic systems function on the contributions of 'all workers' not just the financially richest—from the builders and tradespeople to those in service industries. Many of these workers have been and are still now facing 'stagnant wages' (some of the very lowest in the EU) and 'rising costs of living' particularly in areas where real estate speculation is high or ‘Immigrants’ taking advantage of the most obvious financial situation(s) or Trade. They are the foundation of the economy and without them, much of the economic growth seen in Portugal and elsewhere around the globe wouldn’t be possible and those gentleman and ladies those who have the higher PPP’s would not exist period.
We must be careful not to dismiss the challenges faced by the average worker as simply a lack of effort. 'Structural economic issues', such as 'wage stagnation' and the 'soaring cost of living', make it increasingly difficult for people, even those working hard, to keep up. As property prices rise, 'rents skyrocket' and the prices of basic goods increase, many working-class citizens find themselves 'falling further behind', unable to save or invest, let alone buy property.
By Miguel from Lisbon on 01 Oct 2024, 20:03
5. Ethical or Ethnic Responsibility? Will the Meek shall inherit this Earth?:
The idea that 'foreign buyers' and wealthy investors can simply turn up anywhere on the globe and buy up anywhere as they please including abandoned properties in rural areas, while beneficial in some cases, doesn’t excuse the responsibility of ensuring that **local populations** have access to affordable housing. When 'foreign investment' enters any market without 'restrictions' or ‘regulation', it can lead to ‘gentrification' and the displacement of locals, as is happening in many urban centres all around the world.
Conclusion(?)
It is not about pointing fingers, blame nor denying anyone the right to invest or buy property, but about a reasonable level of intelligent and consciousness, ensuring that ‘economic growth’ benefits ‘everyone’, not just the wealthy financial minded few. As citizens of Portugal, but every citizen around the globe, we need to work towards a system that values ‘contribution at all levels’ and ensures ‘equitable access’ to housing and resources, allowing the ‘entire population’ to prosper, not just those with the ability to buy.
I do have a habit yes, to encourage a more ‘empathetic view’ of the broader social and economic challenges facing Portuguese and all the Citizens of this earth today, especially those impacted by ‘rising costs’ that they have little control over. It’s crucial that we engage in ‘fair and balanced discussions’ that consider all sides of the issue.
Warm regards,
By Miguel from Lisbon on 01 Oct 2024, 20:11