Housing as the Foundation for Inclusive and Resilient Cities: A Call to Action from Matosinhos
A message from Luísa Maria Neves Salgueiro, Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal
Dear readers,
Across Europe, access to adequate and affordable housing has become a critical policy challenge, with major implications for social cohesion, territorial equity and democratic resilience. Rising housing costs are placing pressure on households and deepening socio-spatial inequalities across urban areas.
In Portugal, these pressures are particularly acute, with housing prices increasing faster than incomes and limiting access to adequate housing, especially for younger generations and vulnerable groups. Yet this is not an isolated reality. Across the European Union, cities face similar structural dynamics, often without the competences, financial instruments or regulatory flexibility needed to respond effectively.
Housing must therefore be recognized as a strategic pillar of the European urban agenda, and cities must be empowered as key actors within stronger multilevel Governance.
In Matosinhos, housing is at the core of a place-based and integrated urban development strategy. Such approach combines investment in housing provision with people-centered policies that recognize housing not only as physical infrastructure, but as a fundamental enabler of inclusion, wellbeing and community resilience.
With a public social housing stock of over 4,500 homes and ongoing investment in new affordable housing, the municipality is addressing both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges. However, increasing supply, while essential, is not enough on its own.
Effective housing policy requires community involvement and the co-creation of solutions. Participatory approaches support more responsive policies while reinforcing trust in public institutions. In Matosinhos, this is reflected in community-based programmes that complement housing provision with broader social and environmental objectives.
These include initiatives co-developed with residents that promote cultural expression, artistic participation, sustainability, environmental awareness and capacity-building actions that strengthen local skills and agency.
At the same time, cities must diversify housing responses by strengthening affordable rental schemes, fostering partnerships with institutions such as the Instituto da Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (IHRU), supporting middle-income households and promoting models such as cooperative housing.
Housing policy must also align with the European Green Deal and climate neutrality goals. In Matosinhos, new developments follow nearly zero-energy building standards, while work is ongoing towards zero-emission buildings, helping reduce emissions and energy costs, address energy poverty and improve living conditions.
Despite these efforts, the housing challenge continues to grow. Cities cannot act alone. Stronger policy coherence across European, national and local levels is needed, supported by predictable funding and governance frameworks that recognize cities as strategic actors.
Europe must reaffirm housing as a fundamental right and place it at the center of a sustainable and inclusive urban future. Through platforms such as ICLEI, cities must work together to remain inclusive, resilient and fit for the future.
Sincerely,
Luísa Maria Neves Salgueiro
Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal
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