Vila Real de Santo António's inspired council has signed a protocol with the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) to work together on the "Renovate to Rent - Affordable Housing" scheme set up to rescue and renovate old properties.
The council aims to inject some energy into the rental market by adapting private and council-owned properties and making them fit for the rental market.
The agreement enables money to be accessed by the council to finance the renovations of properties in defined Areas of Urban Rehabilitation and follows Faro and Portimão councils which have joined the scheme.
Through this partnership, the municipality says it is taking another important step to promote the urban regeneration of the historical centre of Vila Real de Santo António and the riverfront of the city (both these areas already are classified as Areas of Urban Rehabilitation), by supporting owners in the licensing of the buildings to qualify as rental properties.
According to Luís Gomes, VRSA's Mayor, "this programme represents a strategic opportunity to continue the rehabilitation of VRSA’s Historical Centre, which is now one of the most active in the country in commercial terms, and to protect and renovate properties.
"On the other hand, this challenge corresponds to the need to regenerate urban centres and to provide housing for the rental market,” continued Gomes.
People or those controlling buildings, or parts of buildings that need renovation may apply for aid under this programme.
Loans may be granted for the renovation of buildings outside the ARU, provided that they do need conservation work and consist exclusively of housing.
The amounts financed by the project can be up to 90% of the total cost of the renovation work and include the financing of building works, work in the common parts of the building (in particular the structural elements, roofs and facades), as well as restoration works on classified buildings.
The ‘Renovate to Rent - Affordable Housing’ programme has an initial allocation of €50 million, with financial support from the European Investment Bank and the Development Bank of the Council of Europe.
The Historical Center of Vila Real de Santo António is an excellent example of 18th century architecture and benefits from a council plan to keep it safeguarded which led to the constitution of the first Urban Rehabilitation Area and the implementation of a programme using funds from the Jessica Foundation.
Meanwhile, Olhão council’s disastrous Historic Centre modernisation programme, currently undergoing its public consultation period, aims to remove much that is historic in a bizarre frenzy of ill-thought-out interventions including the removal of much of the city’s iconic calçada paving.
The Lisbon-based company of architects, Baixa Atelier, that is responsible for the plans have developed a modern approach rather than cherishing and enhancing Olhão’s inherent charm, long history and authenticity.
The VRSA mayor ‘gets it’ and other mayors with historic city centres to look after would do well to learn from the practical yet sensitive approach being adopted by mayor Luis Gomes and his team.
