The Regional Government’s affordable rent programme for the new Vale da Ribeira Housing Complex in Ponta do Sol attracted about 120 applications, according to Leonel Silva, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madeira Housing Institute. From that total, 30 families have now been allocated homes, while another 40 to 50 families remain on the eligible waiting list. The apartments were awarded through a public application process in which households had to submit documents on income, family size and other factors used to determine their score and final ranking. Allocation was based on social and economic criteria and included 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, plus three 3-bedroom dwellings for larger families. Leonel Silva said some applicants later gave up their homes because they felt the rent was too high for their circumstances. He stressed that the scheme is not social housing (Council House) but affordable rent, with monthly payments calculated according to each household’s income and ranging from around 280 euros to 500 or 600 euros in the larger apartments. He added that the main beneficiaries are working middle-class households, especially young couples and families with children, and that there are no single occupants in any of the properties.
