Braga

1. Rich Historical Heritage: Braga is known for its deep historical roots, often referred to as the "Rome of Portugal" due to its rich Roman history. Many ancient Roman remains, including aqueducts and temples, can still be found throughout the city, providing a glimpse into its past. 2. Cultural Festivals: Braga hosts several unique cultural festivals throughout the year, such as the Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Festa de São João, which features vibrant parades, traditional music, and local gastronomy. These festivals attract both locals and visitors, showcasing the city's cultural vibrancy. 3. Religious Significance: As one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, Braga is home to numerous churches and religious sites, including the iconic Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, which is famous for its striking baroque staircase. The city's religious heritage often goes unnoticed by those who only visit its more commercial attractions.

In Braga, the housing market is experiencing notable shifts. As of early 2025, the median property price for purchasing an apartment is approximately €1,520 per square meter, significantly lower than the national average of €2,742. Rental prices have also seen increases, with the average rent reaching €9 per square meter. A strong rental yield, averaging 5.37%, makes Braga attractive for investors, although this is slightly below the national average. Homeownership is more common than renting in Braga, reflecting a broader Portuguese trend where homeownership rates are high compared to other European nations. Public housing in Braga is managed mainly through BragaHabit, the municipal housing entity. Public housing includes programs like supported rentals, shared residences, and subleased housing, aimed at low-income families or individuals in financial vulnerability. BragaHabit also provides subsidies for private rents and mortgage support for owner-occupied housing. Public housing in Braga often integrates social housing but extends beyond it, with broader programs addressing diverse housing needs, such as energy poverty improvements for private homeowners. In summary, Braga is a growing housing market with affordable purchase prices and competitive rental yields. Public housing initiatives, distinct yet overlapping with social housing, play a crucial role in addressing housing affordability challenges, particularly for young families and low-income groups. However, rising costs for both renting and purchasing signal mounting pressures in the city's housing sector.

Braga's city administration is actively addressing affordable and sustainable housing challenges through a multifaceted strategy. As part of its Local Housing Strategy (ELH), Braga has committed €123 million, the largest housing investment in its history, to increase housing supply and improve affordability by 2026. This strategy includes purchasing and rehabilitating properties for low-income families and expanding Urban Rehabilitation Areas (ARUs) to nearly double their size, encouraging the regeneration of degraded areas and fostering sustainable urban development. Concrete activities under this approach include acquiring 15 housing units with rehabilitation needs and launching a public offering for land acquisition to construct more affordable housing. Tax incentives such as reduced VAT, income tax benefits, and exemptions on urban rehabilitation activities aim to motivate property owners to provide affordable housing. The city also emphasizes sustainable practices, revising its Municipal Master Plan to unlock land for housing and streamline building processes. Additionally, Braga's ARU investments focus on integrating energy-efficient solutions and environmentally friendly urban spaces to promote sustainability in housing development. These measures highlight Braga's commitment to tackling its housing crisis. The phased, long-term strategy blends social housing solutions with urban sustainability, targeting vulnerable groups while fostering investment and economic growth. Through these initiatives, Braga seeks to balance affordability and sustainability, ensuring better housing for its growing population.

In Braga, housing cooperatives are an emerging yet limited sector within the broader housing landscape. There is currently no clear data on what share cooperative housing constitutes of all housing units in the city. Generally, cooperative housing in Portugal is underdeveloped compared to other European countries. The cooperative models aim to provide affordable housing by promoting the collective ownership, construction, and management of housing units by members. Recent developments include pilot projects, such as the Aldeamento Sustentável e Cooperativo, which focuses on sustainable and cooperative housing solutions in Braga's Crespos and Pousada areas. This project features eco-friendly designs, solar energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and shared gardens, reflecting modern sustainability trends. At the policy level, Braga's housing strategy, led by BragaHabit, focuses on accessibility and affordability through programs like supported rentals, energy efficiency grants, and collaborations with private landowners. However, specific initiatives to expand cooperative housing are not prominently detailed in municipal programs. Nationally, the government recognizes cooperative housing as a potential solution to the housing crisis and has allocated funding mechanisms like subsidized loans and municipal support for land acquisition. Despite these efforts, progress has been hindered by financing difficulties. Braga's cooperative housing sector, though currently small, shows potential for growth if supported by local policies and national incentives. Its development aligns with sustainability goals and could become a significant element of the city's broader housing strategy to tackle affordability and accessibility challenges.