ACCESS TO THE RENTAL MARKET IN PORTUGAL.

PORTRAIT FROM THE PROGRAMA DE ARRENDAMENTO ACESSÍVEL (Affordable Rental Program)

Abstract

In response to the current housing crisis, the Portuguese government launched the Affordable Rental Program (ARP), which aims to respond to middle-income populations struggling to access housing under market conditions. The program is accompanied by a set of statistical data and criteria that enables the monitoring of the rental market and the calculation of maximum effort rates. This article uses these data and criteria to 1) quantify and territorialize the gap between the rental market and household income; and 2) assess the impact that a widespread adoption of the ARP would have in mitigating this gap. In addition to pointing out limitations of the adequacy of the program to the heterogeneity of the territories, the analysis shows that, in a large part of the territory, the ARP will be able to respond to a relatively delimited but significant section of the population (about 10%) with average incomes. In areas under greater urban pressure, this number is reduced by half, which corresponds to the percentage of higher income households. In general, a large portion of the population is identified which remains unanswered. It is concluded that the ARP can be a useful tool, but by itself it is not able to respond to the entire segment of the population for which it is intended. The article ends with a reflection on the need and possible paths for a more comprehensive housing policy capable of responding to current challenges.