The UK is not alone facing a housing crisis. But as is often the case, its not a supply issue that is responsible for a lack of available housing. As the news report from the BBC shows, Portugal has a crisis.
“Portugal is currently grappling with a severe housing crisis, triggered by an increase in foreign investment in property and a lack of affordable new homes. But it's not simply an issue of supply. Researcher and activist Rita Silva, who helped set up the housing movement Habita, says there are "more houses than people, but prices don't go down".
“A third of Lisbon's historical centre is unoccupied, according to geographer and housing researcher Luís Mendes, and recent cases suggest the state is making the situation worse. He says factors leading to the country's current housing crisis include what he refers to as "touristification" - when the rise in popularity of holiday rentals diverts homes from residential use to tourism."
Radical changes in housing policy are essential to resolving the issue, dwellings should be for living in!
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