Eight years after its launch, Portugal’s PRR-funded 1.º Direito programme has delivered 16,950 of the planned 26,000 homes. The vast majority were achieved through rehabilitation projects; only 1,568 units are newly built, underscoring a shortfall in new construction and a continued reliance on refurbishment to meet social-housing objectives.
Eight years on, only 1,568 new-build homes under the 1.º Direito programme have been constructed
Friday, 23 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Social housing (habitação social) is housing provided or subsidised by public authorities so low-income households can access affordable rent or ownership. The Madeira government is investing €4.2 million to build 27 social-housing units in Funchal, a local project that increases affordable supply and can reduce waiting lists; those seeking housing should be aware that eligibility normally requires legal residency and income below set thresholds.
