Shocking Housing Crisis: Half of Lisbon Tenants Forced to Move in 5 Years

Housing Instability in Lisbon

A recent study by the Centre for Social Studies reveals that half of the tenants in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) have had to change their homes in the last five years, with one-third of these moves being involuntary due to landlords' decisions. Among the respondents, 18% reported moving three or more times in this period.

Rising Insecurity Among Renters

The findings highlight a significant issue of instability and insecurity within the AML rental market. 53% of participants expressed concerns about their housing security, a figure that rises to 70% among foreign nationals, 60% for those aged 35 to 50, and 58% for women.

"It is in the protected market, with controlled rents, that tenants face the most pressure from landlords."

Additionally, 1 in 10 tenants reported experiencing harassment, often aimed at forcing them to vacate their homes before the end of their lease, particularly affecting those over 65 years old and foreign nationals.

Economic Disparities in Housing

Rita Silva, one of the researchers, notes that housing increasingly perpetuates economic and social inequalities between landlords and tenants. The study paints a picture of a housing crisis affecting a broad segment of the tenant population, with varying implications across different segments of the rental market—liberalized, protected, or informal.

Financial Overburden on Families

The report reveals that three-quarters of families in AML spend more than 35% of their income on rent, with 45% spending over half of their salary. This high financial burden is a contributing factor to poverty and social inequality.

"Only 13% of surveyed tenants report living in a home without issues."

Vulnerable populations, including migrants, women, seniors, and families with children, are particularly affected by the housing crisis, facing poor living conditions and increased harassment.

Ongoing Housing Issues

In a segmented, inaccessible, and insecure rental market, nearly 90% of tenants live in homes with at least one habitability issue. A staggering 41% reported significant privacy concerns, with four or more complaints. The informal market presents its own set of challenges, including job and housing precarity, financial strain, and poor living conditions, leading to a worrying outlook for the future.

Rita Silva concludes that the liberalization of the housing market has not significantly improved living conditions, and promises of increased housing availability and reduced rents have not materialized.