The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stressed today in Ponta Delgada the effort that has been carried out by the Government of the Azores in the area of housing throughout the archipelago. The government official spoke during the signing of a protocol with families for the allocation of support to the recovery of degraded housing.

"A total of 320 families were supported under the programme for the renewal of degraded housing, which corresponds to an overall sum of 3.7 million Euros in housing subsidies. If we included the support awarded today, the amount reaches 4.2 million Euros in just two years," said Andreia Cardoso.

Therefore, the Regional Secretary stressed that the awarding of this financial support, as well as many others within housing or social programmes, demonstrates the priority status awarded by the Azorean Government to families and companies in the Region.

According to Andreia Cardoso, the investment in the improvement of housing conditions by providing these houses with comfort as well as with safety and hygiene conditions is one main goals of the Regional Government for this area.
 
It is embodied in the Government's determination to invest in the recovery of built heritage, rather than investing in the construction of new buildings. This measure also aims to promote the preservation of cultural identity, tackle degradation of property and the exodus of families from urban centres and rural villages.

In addition to the concern with the support to families, the Regional Government is also committed to "streamline the payment to families and companies developing these investments the works and processes that were authorised in previous years." In this regard, the Regional Secretary revealed that the Government has already funded three hundred support measures, which represents a "quite substantial investment of nearly six million Euros."

Addressing to families, Andreia Cardoso alerted them for the need of a careful management of the funds allocated, reminding that they are the result of the efforts made by all Azoreans.

The support allocated today make up a total investment of about half a million Euros in the recovery of degraded housing on the islands of São Miguel, Santa Maria and Faial.