Madeira’s President, Miguel Albuquerque, has suggested that taller residential developments in parts of Funchal could help address the Region’s ongoing housing shortage, arguing that a lack of available land remains the greatest obstacle to increasing the housing supply.
Speaking at the entrance to the Auditorium of the Rectory of the University of Madeira, Albuquerque identified the scarcity and high value of land as the principal challenges facing new residential construction on the island.
As one possible solution, he proposed allowing taller buildings in areas where they would have little visual impact.
“The Ajuda area, for example, may have the capacity to accommodate buildings of around 20 storeys. That would solve a substantial part of our housing problem,” he said.
Questioned about whether growing investment in the luxury property market has made it more difficult for residents to access affordable housing, Albuquerque dismissed the suggestion.
“Luxury housing has nothing to do with it. This is a false issue. Local Accommodation (AL) also has nothing to do with it,” he said, adding that he would not “kill the goose that lays the golden eggs” by discouraging investment that, in his view, creates economic activity and wider benefits for the regional economy.
Instead, the Regional President argued that the focus should be on expanding cooperative housing, bringing thousands of vacant properties back into use and increasing the supply of public housing.
He said many landlords remain reluctant to rent out empty properties because of concerns over lengthy court proceedings to evict tenants in cases of non-payment.
Albuquerque also reaffirmed the Regional Government’s commitment to expanding public housing, with rents linked to household income.
“We are already above six per cent public housing. We have delivered around 500 homes and, by September, we expect to deliver another 300,” he said, adding that the long-term objective is to build at least 1,500 homes.
Asked how the Government intends to continue its housing programme after funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) comes to an end, Albuquerque said discussions were already underway to secure alternative financing.
“We are negotiating the creation of a private housing investment fund,” he revealed, adding that future projects would also be supported through the Regional Budget.
The Regional President also said that future developments in municipalities including Câmara de Lobos, Calheta and Ponta do Sol would consist of high-quality affordable housing located within existing town centres.
“We want to put an end to the old concept of social housing,” he said. “We want quality public housing, not developments that create ghettos.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: For illustrative purposes only
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