Gaia municipal council debates new public companies

The Gaia municipal council has approved the creation of a new municipal housing company, proposed to be named Habigaia. The company's objective is to promote social and affordable housing, manage municipal housing stock, and oversee the rehabilitation of public housing assets. The executive leadership, headed by Luís Filipe Menezes, argues that the increasing technical and financial demands of the housing sector justify creating a specialized entity separate from the existing municipal company, Gaiurb.

The proposal faced opposition and reservations. The Socialist Party (PS) abstained, citing doubts regarding the company's viability and questioning whether reinforcing Gaiurb would have been more effective. They also expressed concerns regarding potential political appointments within the new structure.

In a separate matter, opposition members rejected a proposal to create a municipal water and waste management company. Representatives from the CHEGA party and independent councilors argued that economic feasibility studies indicate an initial increase in tariffs—projected between 7% and 9%—before any gradual reductions occur in later years. Opponents questioned the necessity of immediate financial burdens on families and businesses for long-term, uncertain benefits, while also raising concerns about political influence in the management of the proposed entity.