The President of the Government announced today the reform of the legal scheme on the support to degraded housing in the Azores with the purpose of ensuring the recovery of vacant properties and the access of young couples to decent housing in the Region.
 
"I would like to announce that the Government will carry out the reform of the legal scheme on the support to degraded housing. Given the new economic reality in our Region, it will allow that anyone who owns a vacant home may apply for this support scheme," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
As a counterpart, those applying for this type of public support are required to make the recovered property available for lease, mentioned the President of the Government. Vasco Cordeiro spoke during the signing ceremony of lease agreements for 52 apartments located in Piedade Jovem neighbourhood in the village of Arrifes, municipality of Ponta Delgada.
 
"With the reform of the degraded housing support scheme, we are ensuring that the right of housing may be fulfilled throughout the archipelago and that more Azorean couples may have access to decent housing by paying the respective rent," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government also stated that the recently signed lease agreements for 52 apartments cover a group of 150 people, mostly young couples. They fall within a measure comprising 500 families in the Region that benefit from rents below market rates.
 
"Overall, this measure developed by the Government of the Azores has allowed 500 families to save almost one million Euros annually," said Vasco Cordeiro. However, these relevant figures cannot make us forget that there are still families and young couples awaiting the fulfilment of their right to housing.
 
After noting that this type of support does not provide "houses at zero cost," the President of the Government added that the Region has established a partnership with the families to whom the dwellings were allocated.