Thousands of Portuguese protest for the right to affordable housing
Thousands of Portuguese protest for the right to affordable housing Euronews
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Protest for Affordable Housing in Portugal
Many Portuguese, including the middle class, are being priced out of Portugal’s property market by rising rents, surging home prices and climbing mortgage rates.
Protests for Constitutional Right to Housing
Several thousands of people took to the streets in Lisbon and other major cities across Portugal on Saturday to protest for the constitutional basic right to housing. Protests organised by civil society groups were scheduled in 24 cities across the country.
Challenges in the Housing Market
This is the second protest of the year that focuses on affordable housing, within a context of continuous increase of prices to rent and interest rates skyrocketing which has a big impact on most households due to mortgages.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In Lisbon, the impact of the climate crisis was also a common issue that some protesters wanted to highlight. Portugal is facing in recent days high temperatures for the season, on Saturday thermometers reached at least 32 degrees Celsius in the capital.
Government Measures and Protesters’ Concerns
Portugal’s centre-left Socialist government unveiled a package of measures to address the problem of housing but protesters say the measures didn’t tackle the core and structural issues that affect the lives of so many in the main cities.
Factors Driving Up Prices
Many Portuguese, including the middle class, are being priced out of Portugal’s property market by rising rents, surging home prices and climbing mortgage rates, fuelled by factors including the growing influx of foreign investors and tourists seeking short-term rentals driving up prices that force local people out of their neighbourhoods.
Housing Market Statistics
- Between 2020 and 2021, house prices in Portugal shot up by 157%.
- From 2015 to 2021, rents jumped by 112%, according to the European Union’s statistics agency Eurostat.
Socioeconomic Context
Portugal is one of Western Europe’s poorest countries and has long pursued investment on the back of a low-wage economy. Just over half of Portuguese workers earned less than 1,000 euros a month last year, according to Labour Ministry statistics.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights the issue of rising rents, surging home prices, and climbing mortgage rates, which can lead to increased poverty and inequality.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The protests in Portugal are focused on the constitutional basic right to housing, which is a key aspect of creating sustainable cities and communities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, some potential indicators that could be used to measure progress towards these targets include:
- Percentage of population living below the national poverty line
- Average housing cost as a percentage of household income
- Percentage of households with access to affordable and adequate housing
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. |
|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. |
|
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Source: euronews.com
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