Councils offered 477 empty state buildings, mainly for affordable housing. They must choose by 31 December
The Ministry of Finance has sent municipalities a list of 477 state-owned buildings that are currently standing empty. By 31 December each council must tell the government which of the buildings in its area it wants to take over. Councils can also ask for other empty state buildings that are not on the list (ECO).
The government wants the buildings to be used mainly for affordable housing, but also for culture, council services and health centres; councils can propose other uses themselves. The list was drawn up by ESTAMO, the state company that manages government property (Jornal Económico).
The ministry has not said how many of the 477 buildings are in Lisbon, Porto or other cities. First the councils have to choose the buildings and take them over; the government has not said when homes will become available in them or how many there will be.
This is one of the government's measures to tackle the housing crisis, which has led to protests in Lisbon and Porto since October. The opposition and the protesters say the measures do not go far enough and are demanding that the new rental law be scrapped.
