Portugal's youth has little hope of affording housing

Unemployment, unstable jobs, short-term contracts and low wages make it "very difficult" for young people to afford housing, warns a Caritas Europe study released on Tuesday.
 
The majority of young people in Portugal can not rent or buy a house because of unstable jobs and a very high-priced housing market, reads the document.

 

"Housing prices in Portugal, when compared to the average income, are disproportionate. Young people need a future," concludes the study, which describes the main challenges related to poverty and social exclusion among young people in Portugal.

 

"Therefore, young people do not commit to the rental or purchase of housing," and “ the housing situation has become unmanageable," despite some measures that have been implemented.

 

Most social housing needs work, with costs estimated at over €50 million, with the provision of housing for the most vulnerable groups, said to have, "virtually disappeared."

 

The president of Caritas Portuguesa, Eugénio Fonseca, said that young people are leaving home later and later as they can not afford to move out with rents in down-at-heel neighbourhoods rising 20% year-on-year.

 

To overcome this problem, the report recommends that policy makers facilitate "affordable housing for young people according to their income and provide them with the opportunity to start independent living."

 

The report also warns of youth unemployment, stating that "it is a scourge that affects many families, and above all, conditions the dreams and aspirations of youth in Portugal" and thus, "compromises the future of the country."

 

"Employment opportunities and salary levels have declined sharply since the financial crisis of 2008."

 

Analysing the report, Eugenio Fonseca said that “it is necessary to identify those who can intervene directly in overcoming the causes of poverty," arguing that this responsibility is wider than that of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security.

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