(Un)development of housing in Portugal

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of public housing policies in Portugal, reflecting on the democratic commitments made on April 25th. It focuses on the persistent gap between the constitutional right to housing and its effective implementation. Through an analysis of three key programs — the Serviço de Apoio Ambulatório Local, the Programa Especial de Realojamento, and 1.º Direito — the article identifies major advances, limitations, and structural paradoxes. Emphasizing the need for an integrated, multidimensional, and participatory approach, it argues for urgent structural reforms and highlights the critical role of the social sciences in promoting a fairer and more equitable territorial development model.