Mangualde Mayor Marco Almeida (PS) emphasised that these 17 families “will now live in completely renovated homes that are more comfortable, more energy-efficient, and equipped to meet the demands of the coming years.”

Carried out under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), the project involved renovating 20 housing units (two- and three-bedroom homes), which the 17 families will initially occupy.

The mayor highlighted the close cooperation and ongoing dialogue with the Government and the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU), noting that “without this collaboration between the central administration and local authorities, it would be much harder to realise projects of this scale.”

“This project is a result of the PRR and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when there are effective public programs and municipalities ready to take advantage of them.”

The renovation work included preserving the buildings’ original architectural style, expanding living areas, installing thermal insulation, upgrading infrastructure, and improving the surrounding public spaces.

Siblings José Vaz and Helena Vaz Mendes, who were born in one of the estate’s houses and spent their childhood and youth there, were pleased with what they saw.

“We used to play everywhere and eat fruit [from the trees] in the neighbours’ yards whenever it was in season; all they asked was that we leave some for them to taste,” José Vaz recalled to reporters.

His sister, Helena, recounted that the neighbourhood residents were like one big family; “everyone would come together and help out” wherever needed.

Returning to the neighbourhood today was a joyful occasion, and it is a trip they will make often, especially since her 91-year-old parents are moving back into the home where they lived for over 60 years, following a two-year absence due to renovations.

Marco Almeida emphasised that housing is a strategic priority for his administration: “We know that a municipality only grows when it can offer the conditions for young people to stay, for new families to settle here, and for those most in need to find dignified solutions.”

That is why, according to the Socialist mayor, the municipal administration is making full use of the tools available to local governments.

“Today, under the Primeiro Direito [First Right] program, we are delivering 22 housing solutions, alongside 25 units designated for affordable rental.”

According to Marco Almeida, the municipality, in partnership with the IHRU, is creating a total of “47 new public housing units, representing an unprecedented investment” in the municipality of Mangualde, in the Viseu district.

“But the housing policy we are developing isn’t limited to public housing. There is another very important sign demonstrating that Mangualde is experiencing a period of tremendous dynamism.”

This is evidenced by the fact that, over the last four years, more than 150 new private housing units have been built, and over 200 more are currently in the permitting phase—all of which reveals “a municipality that is growing.”