Cascais

Cascais

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Population (AI)

207,000

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Last edited
Sep 30, 2024 6:49 PM
Category
Local programs

Housing Market

The housing market in Cascais, Portugal, is characterized by high property and rental prices, driven by its desirable location and amenities. The average asking price for property is €5,835 per square meter, with rental prices ranging from €800 to €3,000 per month for one- to three-bedroom apartments. Despite these costs, the city faces a housing crisis, with rising rents and house prices outpacing disposable income growth. Cascais is part of a broader Portuguese housing crisis, where real estate prices have increased by 10% annually, while disposable income has only risen by 5.9%. The city's rental market is active, but affordability remains a challenge. To address this, the Portuguese government has introduced measures such as providing public housing with affordable rents, amending land laws for sustainable housing, and reducing VAT for housing rehabilitation. Additionally, programs like the Programa de Arrendamento Acessível encourage affordable renting in exchange for tax exemptions. These efforts aim to make housing more accessible and sustainable, but critics argue that more needs to be done to tackle speculation and short-term rentals.

Further Actors?

Cooperatives

The role of housing cooperatives in the city of Cascais, Europe, is significant in providing affordable housing and promoting community-driven, sustainable living. Housing cooperatives offer democratic governance, social equality, and effective member involvement, which are crucial for their success. They also play a vital role in promoting sustainability and aligning with renewable energy initiatives, boosting their impact locally and throughout Europe. In Cascais, housing cooperatives are part of the broader strategy to address the shortage of affordable housing. The city supports cooperative housing by providing land at reduced costs and mobilizing public and private resources to set up guarantee funds, making it easier for cooperatives to start and sustain themselves. While specific market share data for Cascais is not available, the city's efforts to re-launch the cooperative movement indicate a growing interest in this model. New housing cooperatives have emerged in recent years, particularly in small plots where cooperative ownership is combined with social projects for the area. The city engages in dialogue with banks to ensure affordability for upfront investments, making cooperative units up to 50% cheaper than market prices. This approach aims to benefit young families and other vulnerable groups, promoting inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.