Project Description

The research discusses the possible ways of formulating, in the actual context of the Portuguese situation, both the concept and the practices of social housing. In doing so, it addresses the overall debate on the crisis and changes of social housing production and management.

It is argued that the meaning of social housing must be discussed in the context of the relationship between housing, welfare state and welfare systems. From this discussion, which requires the understanding of the special characteristics of housing as a product and the understanding of the possibly distinct features of the Portuguese welfare state, a frame of reference for the assessment of housing systems can be constructed. Concepts of 'need', 'risk', 'inequality' and 'rights' have a central place in its definition.

These concepts organise the analysis of the processes of housing system and housing policies structuration and change, in Portugal. The main findings of the project - a duality between housing construction dynamics and housing conditions of the poor and the presence of a non-residual area of housing problems, across traditional divisions between market and non-market forms and between renting and owning - emphasize the need to discuss the organisation or 'governance' of housing systems, both at central and local levels.

Research Team

• Paulo Conceição
• Prof. Isabel Breda-Vázquez (Supervisor)
• Prof. Antonio Tosi (Politecnico di Milano - Co-supervisor)

Financial Support

• FEUP

Stage of Progress

• Concluded in 2004