Cascais

1. Historical Significance: Cascais was once a small fishing village but transformed into a popular summer retreat for Portuguese royalty in the 19th century. This historical influence is evident in the architecture and cultural sites scattered throughout the city, many of which are not widely recognized by tourists. 2. Cultural Events: Cascais hosts various lesser-known cultural events throughout the year, such as the "Festival da Música" which celebrates local and international music, creating a vibrant atmosphere that highlights the city's artistic community. 3. Environmental Initiatives: Beyond its beautiful coastline, Cascais is committed to sustainability and environmental protection. The city has implemented several programs focused on preserving its natural spaces, including the "Cascais Nature Park," which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, offering hiking trails that are often overlooked by visitors.

The housing market in Cascais, Portugal, remains highly sought-after, especially among luxury real estate buyers and international investors. As of 2025, the average property price in Cascais reached €7,260 per square meter, with some variations across neighborhoods. Vila de Cascais and Estoril are the most expensive areas, with prices around €7,800-€8,000 per square meter for apartments. Rental yields in Cascais have been attractive, ranging from 4.8% to 5.9% depending on the neighborhood. The overall yield for Cascais stood at 5.6% in recent reports. The total dwelling stock in Cascais was approximately 6,003,809 units at the start of 2023. However, specific data on the ratio of renters to homeowners in Cascais is not available in the provided information. Public housing plays a significant role in Cascais. The municipality has approved plans to invest 330 million euros by 2028 to create over 3,000 new housing solutions. This initiative aims to double the municipal housing stock, addressing affordability concerns and supporting various demographics, including young people, families, and the middle class affected by rising housing costs. The Cascais real estate market is expected to continue growing, driven by foreign investment and a thriving tourism industry.

The Cascais city administration is actively addressing housing challenges through various initiatives. The city has approved a tax package for 2025 that lowers the Municipal Property Tax rate to 0.33%, providing savings for residents. Additionally, Cascais has implemented a Local Housing Strategy with a total investment of 330 million euros by 2028, aiming to create over 3,000 new housing solutions. Concrete programs include: 1. Property acquisition: The city is purchasing 79 dwellings to be used as affordable public housing. 2. Building rehabilitation: Contracts have been launched to rehabilitate 73 social housing buildings. 3. Green Fund for Families: This program offers up to 10,000 euros per family for implementing energy efficiency measures, with support percentages based on income levels. 4. Teacher housing program: Cascais is providing 105 affordable accommodations for teachers who work in the municipality but live far away. 5. New construction and land acquisition: The Local Housing Strategy includes plans for new housing construction and purchasing land for future development. These initiatives demonstrate Cascais' commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing options for its residents, with a focus on social inclusion, energy efficiency, and supporting key workers like teachers.

Cascais, a coastal city in Portugal, has limited information available about its housing cooperative sector. While housing cooperatives played a role in Portugal's urban development in the past, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, their current presence in Cascais is not well-documented. The city of Cascais does not appear to have specific programs or policies promoting cooperative housing. However, Portugal as a whole has been experiencing a housing crisis, which has led to discussions about alternative housing models, including cooperatives. In the broader context of Portugal, there has been a recent push to revitalize the cooperative housing movement. For instance, the city of Lisbon has been exploring ways to support housing cooperatives and associations as part of its strategy to increase affordable housing supply. While specific cooperative lighthouse projects in Cascais are not mentioned in the available information, the city has been involved in other community-oriented initiatives. For example, the "Terras de Cascais" strategy, launched in 2018, focuses on urban agriculture and community gardens, demonstrating the city's interest in collaborative, community-based projects. It's worth noting that Cascais, like many Portuguese cities, faces challenges in providing affordable housing, and there may be opportunities for cooperative housing models to play a larger role in addressing these issues in the future.