The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Vila Franca do Campo that the Government of the Azores has invested five million Euros in financial support to degraded housing throughout the Region.

"The Government has already supported 500 families in the renewal of degraded housing, which corresponds to an overall investment of five million Euros in housing support and benefits," said Andreia Cardoso. The government official stressed that the implementation of these support measures, as well as many others in the area of housing such as the case of the "Families with Future" Programme or welfare programmes, demonstrate the priority status given by the Government to Azorean families and companies.

"The houses were poor conditions, especially when it comes to safety, hygiene and comfort," stressed the Regional Government on sidelines of a visit to the renewal works of houses supported under the programme for the renewal of degraded housing. The government official underlined that this is another measure that aims to improve the living conditions of Azorean families.

"We want to provide families with good conditions so that they can feel safe at home and be happy. This is our goal and, for that reason, the Regional Government has helped people achieving their aspirations," Andreia Cardoso said, noting that the recovery of degraded houses is an important aspect in the Government's action in this area."

According to the Regional Secretary, "housing is, clearly, one of the factors that contributes the most to the rise of social exclusion and poverty. The Government of the Azores does not hesitate in its determination to fight against this problem."

Andreia Cardoso visited the houses renewed under this programme in the municipalities of Vila Franca do Campo and Povoação. These interventions represented a public investment of over 31 thousand Euros that was intended to improve the conditions of the housing stock and the living conditions of families, also responding to the needs of the local construction sector.