Speaking on behalf of the delegation at the end of the visit, Chair Irene Tinagli commented: “Our mission to Lisbon highlighted the growing gap between housing markets and people’s real lives. Across the city, talking with various stakeholders and looking at the numbers, we learned how limited public housing, the expansion of short-term tourist rentals, and speculative investment are pushing families out of their communities. This is not only a Portuguese issue—it is a European one. The European Parliament is committed to addressing these challenges at their roots, and to working closely with local and national partners to ensure that housing remains accessible for all the citizens, not a privilege of the few.
The share of apartments that are taken out from the residential rental market to be dedicated to short term touristic rentals reaches staggering percentages in certain areas, contributing to further exacerbate the housing pressure in the capital and the most touristic areas.
This mission also provided an important opportunity to assess how Parliament’s proposals are being received and will be implemented on the ground. Continued and close dialogue with national, regional and local stakeholders will be essential to ensure an effective EU response and to deliver on our shared objective of decent, sustainable and affordable housing for all Europeans.”
Members of the delegation