The Municipal Assembly approved a new regulation for Local Accommodation (AL) establishments in the municipality of Funchal this morning. The rules introduce fresh limits on 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. Paulo Lobo said the decision quickly delivers an electoral promise from the PSD/CDS coalition, stressing that no new AL registrations in multi-family residential buildings are intended. He also said the regulation still leaves room for investment in urban rehabilitation and the recovery of vacant or derelict buildings. Rosalina Bayntun (IL) said there is a serious housing problem in Funchal, but argued that restricting the freedom of investors is not the right solution. Liliana da Gama (JPP) criticised the final text for not fully protecting residents or reflecting the views of the 170 individuals and entities that took part in the public consultation, while Sérgio Abreu (PS) and Carmo Gomes (Chega) both said AL requires a balance between resident protection and investment. João Paulo Marques (PSD) defended the regulation as a balanced outcome, accused JPP municipal deputy Leonardo Reis of a conflict of interest, and said the new rules mark the start of an AL system with rules rather than the end of the activity in Funchal.
