Multitude of Residences Distribution to Families
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing in Portugal is making significant strides in addressing the country's housing needs through the 1.º Direito - Programa de Apoio ao Acesso à Habitação. By mid-2025, 10,000 homes have already been delivered to vulnerable families nationwide.
The program, integrated into the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) in 2021, seeks to provide public housing through new construction or the renovation of existing homes. Its primary goal is to guarantee decent and adequate housing for the neediest families and the most vulnerable groups.
By June 2026, the program aims to deliver 26,000 homes, with about 1,200 more homes expected to be delivered shortly in various municipalities such as Alcácer do Sal, Anadia, Lisboa, Moita, Tábua, Melgaço, and Funchal.
Beyond 2026, the program plans a continued effort to address housing needs. By 2030, the total number of homes to be delivered will reach approximately 59,000. This extended effort is supported by a combined investment of 4.2 billion euros, sourced from both the State Budget (about 2.8 billion euros) and the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) funds (about 1.4 billion euros).
To accelerate delivery and overcome bureaucratic obstacles, the government has implemented "Terms of Responsibility and Acceptance" agreements with municipalities, holding them accountable for timelines and project execution outlined in the PRR.
The program focuses on both the construction of new housing and the rehabilitation of degraded housing stock, coordinated by the Instituto da Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (IHRU). Recent efforts to reinforce social housing supply in regions like Coimbra, including rental housing lotteries and partnerships with municipalities, indicate ongoing implementation into 2025 and beyond.
In Loures and Amadora, demolition operations are underway, contested by the Movimento Vida Justa. The demolition operations are part of a larger plan, with notices posted in Amadora with a view to demolishing 16 houses on Estrada Militar (Mina de Água), and in Loures, demolition operations are taking place on Talude Militar (68 houses).
The government also plans to present measures addressing the findings of a study by the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU), which indicates 250,000 homes are not on the market.
In conclusion, the 1.º Direito program is progressing steadily, firmly aiming to deliver 26,000 homes by mid-2026 and nearly 60,000 by 2030, backed by significant public funding and government-municipality cooperation.
Investors keen on social impact initiatives may find the 1.º Direito program attractive, as it plans to deliver 1,200 more homes in various municipalities by a short time, and aims to deliver a total of 26,000 homes by mid-2026, with a significant portion of funding coming from investing in real-estate, specifically through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). Furthermore, the program's continued efforts beyond 2026 have a long-term goal of delivering nearly 60,000 homes by 2030, with financing from both the State Budget and the PRR, making it a promising opportunity for those interested in financing the growth of the real-estate sector in Portugal.
