Monchique council has approved the idea by mayor Rui André to give financial support to those young people who wish to move to the Monchique area.
Any qualifying young singletons or couples can apply for council finance to help them in buying, reconstructing, maintaining, expanding, improving or rescuing property that is to become their main home.
After public consultation the council changed some of the details in the original proposal, most importantly the raising of the maximum grant from €5,000 to €10,000.
This council support package is intended for those aged 40 or under and includes exemption from a wide range of council taxes as well as access to free project and technical support from council departments.
This proposal is part of a wider effort by the council to combat depopulation and an ever increasing average age in this rural municipality.
Existing demographic studies, including the last census, showed a steady decrease in the Monchique population over recent years, a declining birth rate and an aging population, a situation that has received mucg council thought and now some concrete action.
A second issue is the state of the council’s housing stock which needs to be preserved and upgraded.
Rui André said that Monchique welcomes new blood to counteract the depopulation that has dogged the council area in recent decades.
The vote on these measures, due to lots of consultation and engagement should go through assembly at the end of this month and the aim is to start the grants programme in mid-February 2015.
