The international organisation warns that the situation has worsened with the revocation of some of the measures of the "Mais Moradia" program, implemented by the government to mitigate the shortage of decent and affordable housing.
The report, published in Brussels and covering 150 countries, cited by the Lusa news agency, points out that the elimination of provisions such as the rent freeze and the regulation of short-term rentals could have direct negative effects on access to housing, further worsening the existing crisis.
According to data cited by Amnesty, almost 13% of the Portuguese population lives in overcrowded housing. Among people at risk of poverty, the number rises to 27.7%, highlighting the vulnerability of the most disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, the General Inspectorate of Finance estimated in June that 60% of tenants do not enjoy security of tenure, meaning they live in fear of losing their homes or facing steep rent increases.
Despite recent legislative changes, Amnesty highlights that these have not been accompanied by effective alternative solutions that guarantee the right to housing. The organisation considers the impact that such changes could have to be worrying, especially at a time when the housing crisis is felt more acutely in large cities and tourist regions.
Well, why doesn't Amnesty put its money where its mouth is and start building hundreds or even thousands of homes in Portugal, or elsewhere? Everybody already knows about the housing crisis across the western world. The reasons are mass migration and the eco-socialist stranglehold on land development. Buy hey, let's keep Amnesty relevant by constantly repeating platitudes.
By Tony from USA on 04 May 2025, 22:57
"The right to housing" is an oft used sound byte; what does that mean though? If there is such a right, who is obliged to provide it?
The population of Portugal has not increased in the last 20 years. The housing stock hasn't decreased.
What has changed is expectations. Today, each person expects to have a home of their own. A bedroom for each, 24 hour electricity, hot and cold water always on tap.
Those things are, obviously, a miinimum in the western world; but is it a "right"?
Amnesty international should stick to the real and very serious injustices in this world, and not worry about housing in western Europe.
By mark Holden from Algarve on 06 May 2025, 08:53