Apparently, the implementation of the PRR is a success in Portugal. When we go deeper we realize that this is not the case. Especially in housing, which is one of the biggest needs the country faces, it is clear that more time and another orientation were needed so that the use of PRR funds could correspond to what the Portuguese need.
A mission by the European Parliament’s Housing Committee, held in Portugal last week, revealed the extent of the housing drama in Portugal. Two particularly evident elements emerge from the work of this parliamentary mission. One of them is that the deadline set for the PRR will not allow Portugal to fully utilize its funds. The other is that PRR resources were mainly used to requalify properties that were already intended for housing, and there was no very significant contribution to the increase in housing supply.
There is a clear need to extend the period for using PRR funds, but also to direct community funds in another way.
Portugal needs more time to be able to fully take advantage of the PRR funds. Completing the deadline in August 2026 is very tight and leaves many projects in the way in which these funds could be used in favor of the country, economic development and responding to social problems. This finding is not limited to Portugal, it applies to most European Union countries. This is what justifies the fact that 31 Members of the European Parliament of different nationalities supported the letter that we sent to the European Commission and the European Council and that we opened for subscription.
On the other hand, it appears that, in the specific case of housing, in addition to extending the PRR term, we also need another general guideline for the use of community funds, including – but not limited to – PRR funds.
In this specific case, Portugal needs investment in increasing the supply of properties for housing. It is obvious that it is important to improve housing conditions in Portugal, including improving housing that does not have the minimum conditions to be habitable. But it is not enough to requalify houses that already exist and are already intended for housing. We need to increase the number of houses intended for housing. We need to increase the supply of affordable housing with more houses that can be rented at affordable prices for middle-class families who have a stable life but cannot find a livable income. And we need houses that are currently used for other purposes to be used for housing. This is the case of thousands of houses that are intended for tourist purposes, such as Local Accommodation, and that should be used for housing.
The realization of these needs matches the proposals that we have defended in the European Parliament. There needs to be more people fighting on our side.
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