No phenomenon of real estate speculation

In Portugal, the reality is a housing crisis that worsens every year. Local accommodation, golden visas, and residents unused to housing are often part of the political discourse and are often used in society when it is necessary to find "culprits" for the rise in housing prices. However, economist Vera Goveia Barros, acknowledging that there are "serious unresolved problems" in the housing sector, rejects these more simplified interpretations and calls for in-depth research based on data and informed analysis, rather than "scapegoating."

Overall, the housing and economics researcher regrets that the "More Housing" bill, which is currently under public discussion, undermines trust in the market through "coercive and prohibitive" measures rather than incentives. Instead, she recommends that the government of António Costa "significantly reduce personal income tax on rental agreements" and "consider property acquisition tax and use it as a tool to stimulate changes in housing throughout life," for example.

She welcomes the government for its "great effort to increase the public housing supply," but reminds that young and elderly people have been left out of the package, without specific and direct measures designed for these groups.

She also notes that the number of vacant houses in Portugal has led the socialist government to introduce measures for mandatory rental of these empty homes, which has sparked fierce debates and protests. A housing and tourism expert believes that "it is necessary to find out not only what heritage exists but also why it is not being offered on the market." She also emphasizes that the right to housing is not limited to just having a roof over one's head or an address. It encompasses a range of other requirements, including the location of the house, the infrastructure and services available in the area, educational opportunities, healthcare offerings, transportation issues, and so on.

She concludes that public housing policy cannot simply be about how to have homes on the market.