The Municipal Assembly in Funchal approved a new regulation for Local Accommodation (AL) establishments this morning, introducing fresh limits for the activity, especially in residential buildings. The measure was backed by the PSD/CDS coalition and Chega, while the JPP and PS abstained and the Liberal Initiative (IL) voted against. Councilman Paulo Lobo said the decision quickly delivers an electoral promise from the PSD/CDS coalition and follows the President’s position that no new AL registrations should be allowed in multi-family residential buildings. He added that the municipality still wants to encourage investment in urban rehabilitation and the restoration of vacant or derelict buildings. Rosalina Bayntun (IL) said housing access in Funchal is a serious problem, but argued that restricting the freedom of investors is not the right answer. Liliana da Gama (JPP) tried to amend the draft regulation, but the PSD/CDS majority refused to consider it because it was submitted after the deadline, and she said the final text does not properly protect residents or reflect the 170 contributions made during public consultation. Sérgio Abreu (PS) described AL as a complex issue with competing interests, noting both its role in reviving degraded buildings and its impact on residents facing eviction and precarious housing, while also criticising the lack of a sanctioning mechanism.
