Santa Maria Maior Residents Rally Against Controversial Social Hotel in Mouraria

Residents Stand Against Social Hotel Proposal

The Santa Maria Maior parish council is set to hold a protest this Wednesday against the Lisbon City Council's plan to construct a Social Hotel in Mouraria. They argue that the proposed building should instead be used for affordable housing.

The slogan for the protest, scheduled for 5 PM on Rua das Olarias, is "No Social Hotel, Yes Affordable Rent!". Miguel Coelho, president of the parish council from the Socialist Party (PS), has been vocal in his opposition since the outset.

In a statement released on Monday, the council expressed deep concern regarding the "fundamental issue" of ensuring a safe environment in critical areas of the parish and the right to quality of life for residents, emphasizing the need for tranquility and shared space enjoyment.

The controversial project, proposed by the PSD/CDS-PP leadership at the Lisbon City Council, aims to create a Social Hotel for the urgent and temporary accommodation of vulnerable individuals. This initiative was approved unanimously in July 2024 by the council, which includes members from various parties, including the PS, Cidadãos Por Lisboa, PCP, Livre, and BE.

Project Details

The Social Hotel will involve the rehabilitation of two municipal properties located at Rua das Olarias, No. 41 and 43, with an estimated investment of €2 million slated for completion by 2026. The facility will accommodate a maximum of 29 residents across various room types and will offer support services such as an industrial kitchen and laundry facilities.

Despite the project’s approval, the parish council remains firmly opposed. They initiated a petition against the Social Hotel and advocate for the decentralization of social responses, criticizing the council for proceeding without prior consultation.

The council’s statement highlighted that the petition delivered to the municipal authority has not halted the project’s progress, prompting the need for more visible and decisive action.

Calls for Affordable Housing

The Santa Maria Maior council supports the conversion of vacant units in the parish into affordable rental housing, as part of a special program called “Back to the Neighborhood.” They argue that the decision to build the Social Hotel contradicts efforts to attract new residents and poses an obstacle for those wishing to return to the area, failing to address the daily challenges faced by inhabitants of the historic center.

The council stresses that the site designated for the Social Hotel should be repurposed for affordable housing to foster territorial and social cohesion and combat the increasingly divergent dynamics in the neighborhood. They emphasize that Mouraria needs residents to support families and promote stability.

In statements made to the Lusa agency in August 2024, Miguel Coelho expressed that the historic center is already burdened with issues, and bringing in another problematic situation would not benefit the local community.