Illegal evictions lead housing complaints in Porto

Since its establishment in 2021, the Habitação Hoje association in Porto has dealt primarily with illegal evictions, alongside issues like rent increases, lack of repairs, and failure to return deposits. Raul Castro, the association's leader, reported over a hundred cases in the Porto district, highlighting that problems also occur in municipal housing. Many tenants, often unaware of their rights, face indirect evictions due to sudden rent hikes. Recently, the association protested against the imminent eviction of a family with a member suffering from permanent disability. The process for municipal housing is described as restrictive, leaving many families without options. Despite some successes, many individuals have given up due to the exhausting nature of the struggle for housing rights. To generate its own revenue, the association formed the Union of Tenants and Homeless in 2024, allowing it to provide legal support in court.