Beja political party proposes municipal construction company

The Left Bloc (BE) has proposed the creation of a municipal construction company in Beja, Portugal, to address housing shortages and urban decay. The proposal aims to prioritize urban rehabilitation and renovation to combat the issue of uninhabitable housing in the municipality.

According to the BE, current public tenders for rehabilitation projects have often gone unfilled. The party attributes this to low contract prices, a lack of interest from companies favoring new construction and real estate speculation, and a shortage of labor in the construction sector. The proposed municipal company would provide the local executive with greater independence, allow for a defined priority plan for works, ensure a dedicated workforce, and create local jobs.

A recent survey conducted by the BE found approximately 500 vacant properties in the Beja municipality. This includes 89 closed shops, nine of which are in a state of severe degradation, and 278 vacant residential homes, 186 of which are reportedly in a state of significant decay.