The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity announced in Ribeira Grande the opening of a public tender for the granting of 10 houses in the village of Maia on a sublease scheme with purchase option.

This tender falls within the policies conducted by the Azorean Government to support families, being a tool to help families overcoming difficulties in the access to the housing market.

"The aim of this initiative is to contribute to the maintenance of population in the village of Maia," Andreia Cardoso stressed, mentioning the Government will award priority status to the applicants residing in this village belonging to the municipality of Ribeira Grande.

The 10 houses are located in the S. Pedro Neighbourhood; three are 3-bedroom houses and seven are four-bedroom houses.

"In addition to the construction of houses, the Government also allocated several plots for the construction of social facilities, such as a day nursery, which is already operating, and the Day and Recreational Centre, whose work is about to start soon," stressed the Regional Secretary.

The opening notice and the rules of the tender were published in Official Journal today. The tender will run between December 15 and 31.

Applications may be submitted at the Regional Directorate for Housing, local housing services, Maia Village Council and at RIAC offices.

In addition, the applications may be also submitted by regular mail or email to the addresses listed in the tender rules.

The tender is open to all citizens residing in the Azores for at least three years that do not own property. Applicants must have economic and financial capacity to pay the monthly lease.