Câmara de Lisboa plans increased investment in housing and urban planning for 2027

The Câmara de Lisboa has announced plans to increase investment in housing and urban planning for 2027, with a proposed budget of 1.463 billion euros, an 8.8% increase from 2026. The budget allocates 167 million euros for housing and urban planning, a 12.9% increase from 2026. This area will see the largest growth in investment, with an absolute increase of 19 million euros.

According to Gonçalo Reis, the vice-president of the Câmara de Lisboa, the increase in investment is part of the municipality's priority to address housing needs. The budget proposes 476 houses in rehabilitation or construction, including 98 in the Bairro Padre Cruz, 160 in Paços do Lumiar, and 72 in Vila Dias. Additionally, 672 houses are in the project pipeline for new construction and rehabilitation.

The Câmara de Lisboa also plans to allocate 48 million euros for the conservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of municipal housing. The municipality aims to deliver 107 houses under the De Volta ao Bairro program, which aims to provide 700 houses, and support 1,100 families with rent payments.

Gonçalo Reis highlighted that new models of public-private partnerships will be explored to increase the supply of affordable housing. This includes mobilizing municipal land for investors to build affordable housing, with the goal of contributing to an increase in housing supply. The cost of land is a significant component of investment, and the municipality wants to make a positive impact.

The Câmara de Lisboa's proposal also includes the revision of the model of right of superficies for housing cooperatives and the review of regulations, particularly those related to the right to housing and the management of the municipal housing park. The municipality plans to work on presenting projects in 2027, although the exact budget for these initiatives has not been determined.

The decision to sell 10 municipal terrains in public auction has raised questions, particularly given the municipality's decision to forego revenue from certain sources. However, Gonçalo Reis defended the rational management of the municipality's patrimony, stating that some assets do not have a strategic purpose and should be sold to generate capital revenue for investment in housing.

The proposed budget for 2027 is the second under the current mandate of the PSD/CDS-PP/IL governance, led by Carlos Moedas. The Câmara de Lisboa has dedicated over 85% of its Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência to housing, but this program is set to end, and the municipality must find alternative funding sources to continue investing in housing.

Key points

• The Câmara de Lisboa plans to increase investment in housing and urban planning by 12.9% in 2027, with a budget of 167 million euros.
• The municipality aims to deliver 107 houses under the De Volta ao Bairro program and support 1,100 families with rent payments.
• New public-private partnerships will be explored to increase the supply of affordable housing, including mobilizing municipal land for investors.