Delay in Lisbon's Affordable Housing Subsidy Program
The 8th call for the Municipal Subsidy for Affordable Rent program by the Lisbon City Council is facing significant delays. Traditionally, the announcement for interested parties to apply would have been made nearly three months ago, as the previous call concluded in March. However, no new announcement has been made, leaving many beneficiaries in a precarious situation.
Despite inquiries from Observador to the office of Filipa Roseta, the councilor responsible for Housing, there has been no response. On April 9, questions were submitted to clarify the delay, yet no answers were provided even after a follow-up on April 11.
Upcoming Discussions on the Program
As of this Wednesday, there was still no feedback from Roseta's office. However, on Tuesday, Observador accessed a document outlining topics for discussion at the upcoming open council meeting, scheduled for April 23, which includes a proposal for the 8th edition of the SMAA.
Concerns Over Payment Defaults
The proposal for the new edition of the SMAA will be discussed next week. Beneficiaries are worried that due to the delay, they may face difficulties in paying their rents. The new call will require formal opening, a presentation period of about six weeks, assessment, and finally, the awarding of supports. This means that when the supports from the 8th call are finally awarded, the funding from the 6th edition will have already expired.
Proposal Details
The proposal, which is set to be voted on April 23, acknowledges the ongoing housing crisis in Lisbon and suggests a minimum income threshold of €6,000 for access to the 8th edition of the SMAA. It also proposes allowing residents from outside the Lisbon Metropolitan Area to apply if they can prove professional ties to the city.
However, the proposal fails to address the immediate needs of current beneficiaries who have been part of the program since March of last year and who may experience a break in support due to the council's delay.
The SMAA is intended to support families with registered rental agreements in Lisbon, as highlighted on the city council's FAQ page. According to the council, 410 beneficiaries were supported in the 6th edition of the program.
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