Tourist tax in Porto enables affordable housing in the city centre of Porto

The creation of housing oriented opportunities for middle income households in the city centre is subject to active public policies. Thus, Porto City Hall is "acting accordingly", stated today Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto. "The proceeds of the touristic tax will help deliver this policy."

Twenty-five controlled rent residences and commercial spaces were handed over in an official ceremony attended by the Minister of Environment, the Mayor of Porto and the President of the Urban Regeneration Society - Porto Vivo.

As a result, former residents are returning to historic neighbourhoods like Morro da Sé and new tenants are emerging.

Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, explained that this policy is being implemented in the context of the historic centre rehabilitation, highlighting that "projects are being developed in this area and the City Hall is invoking its purchase option for these buildings that will be rehabilitated".

"Rehabilitation is full swing, privates are renovating buildings and that is a good thing ... but public investment is crucial to supporting people who want to live in the city centre and cannot afford to do that. So, it is mandatory that there are active public policies", Rui Moreira concluded.

The President of the Urban Regeneration Society - Porto Vivo affirmed that "applications to controlled rent housing are always far high in number".

 The Minister of Environment congratulated the rehabilitation model that Porto City Hall is implementing, adding that "it allows to open a plan residential area, which is what historic centres should offer".