Lagos Council Takes Bold Steps Towards Resolving Housing Crisis
In a recent move aimed at addressing the pressing housing crisis in Lagos, the Câmara Municipal de Lagos has approved a motion calling for government funding to support the construction of public housing. This significant decision comes as local residents continue to struggle to find affordable accommodation, a situation that is adversely impacting community life and local businesses that rely on tourism.
During the most recent council meeting, the urgency of the situation was underscored, highlighting the lack of state support for public housing projects. The council’s motion draws attention to the painstaking efforts outlined in the Local Housing Strategy, which was developed with assistance from the 1.º Direito Programme. This strategy forecasts the creation of 260 housing units and solutions for cohousing, backed by funding through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). However, the reality is stark: while an estimated €48 million is needed for these projects, only €1 million has been allocated by the state so far, leaving a significant gap in financing.
Faced with a lack of responsiveness from the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) and other relevant ministries, the council has proactively secured a bank loan of roughly €25 million. This funding will enable the continuation of various housing initiatives, including already assigned units in locations such as Cerca do Cemitério and Barão de São João, and ongoing projects in Chinicato and Bensafrim. Moreover, plans for an ambitious 500 housing units at Marina Park II – Caliças are in the pipeline, aimed at providing more affordable options for local residents.
The approved motion advocates for the necessity of 100% state funding for municipal investments in public housing, whether for new constructions or the rehabilitation of existing structures. It also calls for swifter responses to submitted applications, simplification of bureaucratic processes, and the creation of incentives to attract companies and professionals into the housing sector.
The housing crisis in Lagos is not merely a statistic; it has tangible effects on the community and local economy. As local families find it increasingly difficult to secure affordable housing, the strain on tourist businesses becomes ever more pronounced. The thriving tourism sector relies heavily on a stable resident population to support service-based industries, yet a lack of available housing is causing significant disruptions.
This motion is an important step towards reversing these trends and ensuring that local people can find homes in the community they love. With government support, Lagos can work towards a future where residents are no longer defined by the limitations of the housing market, but by the potential of living and thriving in their beautiful city.
The community looks towards the future with optimism as these plans unfold, hopeful that effective solutions will soon turn the tide on the current housing crisis.
For full details of the motion, please refer to the official document available [here]
Current Projects Include
The local authority’s housing initiatives, incliude: 18 dwellings (12 in Lagos, in Cerca do Cemitério, and six in Barão de São João, already allocated by tender); 38 homes with design and construction contracts awarded (24 in Chinicato and 14 in Bensafrim, with a tender for allocation to be opened shortly); 104 + cohousing in Lagos – Chesgal (contract awarded, with a tender for the allocation of homes to be opened shortly); 71 dwellings in design/construction tender (51 in Lagos – Santo Amaro and 20 in Bensafrim, with tender for allocation of dwellings to open shortly); and process for the construction of 500 dwellings (1st phase) for sale at controlled costs (Marina Park II – Caliças).
