Non-emergency housing support programs

Programas de apoio habitacional não urgente

Lisbon has faced rising housing costs in recent years. In response, the municipality and national government have created several programs making housing more affordable for residents. Here's a breakdown of the key affordable housing initiatives available in Lisbon, including what they are, who is eligible, and how to apply.

PROGRAMS

Programa de Renda Acessível (Affordable Rent Program – PRA)

The PRA is a Lisbon City Council initiative offering rental homes at below-market rates. The goal is to support people and families who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to afford private market rents.

Who is eligible:

Individuals or households over 18 years of age.
Applicants must live in Portugal and provide proof of income.
No member of the household can own or be using another property for housing in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
The household income must fall within a specific bracket (minimum and maximum limits are set according to the number of people).

How to apply:

- Applications must be submitted online through the Habitar Lisboa platform during open calls.

- You must create an account to apply or if you do not have a residence card, you can schedule an appointment to help fill out the application by scheduling here 🔗

- or call 800 910 211 | 218 170 552, on weekdays between 10h00 to 17h00.

Subsidy for Affordable Rent (SMAA)

What it is:

The Subsidy for Affordable Rent (Subsídio Municipal ao Arrendamento Acessível) is a monthly financial support for households already renting in Lisbon, where the rent consumes a large portion of the household’s income.

Who is eligible:

Applicants must live in Lisbon and have a formal rental contract.
Income and household size must fall within the program’s guidelines.
The household must not own property or have access to other subsidized housing.

How to apply:

- Applications must be submitted online through the Habitar Lisboa platform during open calls.

- You must create an account to apply or if you do not have a residence card, you can schedule an appointment to help fill out the application by scheduling here 🔗

- or call 800 910 211 | 218 170 552, on weekdays between 10h00 to 17h00.

Municipal Supported Rent (Arrendamento Apoiado)

What it is:

This is a deeply subsidized housing program for residents with very low income. Rent is calculated as a percentage of the household’s income.

Who is eligible:

Households must demonstrate significant financial need.
Priority is given to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, single-parent families, and people with disabilities.
Applicants must be living in Lisbon and meet specific income limits.

How to apply:

- Applications must be submitted online through the Habitar Lisboa platform during open calls.

- You must create an account to apply or if you do not have a residence card, you can schedule an appointment to help fill out the application by scheduling here 🔗

- or call 800 910 211 | 218 170 552, on weekdays between 10h00 to 17h00.

Cooperatives for First Housing (Cooperativas 1ª Habitação)

What it is:

A newer initiative from the Lisbon City Council that supports the creation of cooperative housing projects on public land. These are non-profit models where residents collectively own and manage their homes.

Who is eligible:

Groups of residents or housing cooperatives interested in building sustainable and affordable housing. Applicants must commit to long-term residency and non-speculative ownership.

How it works:

The city leases apartments for 90 years at a symbolic rent.
Cooperatives are responsible for designing, funding, and managing the housing project.
The aim is to create stable and affordable homes for people who want to live in Lisbon.

How to apply:

To participate, you must be part of a housing cooperative. More info here 🔗

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