In addition to vacant units, Social Security is owed more than €33 million in unpaid rent on properties owned by public bodies and on homes assigned to the market-rent and social-rent schemes.
Around a third of properties managed by Social Security are vacant: most are for housing
Thursday, 29 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.
