In the vibrant city of Lisbon, a battle is brewing between residents and the booming tourist let industry. Fed up with skyrocketing housing prices and the influx of short-term rentals, housing activists have gathered over 6,600 signatures calling for a groundbreaking referendum to ban tourist lets in residential buildings. This bold move could reshape the city’s housing landscape and serve as a model for other destinations grappling with the impact of overtourism.
The Tipping Point: Lisbon’s Housing Crisis
Lisbon’s charm and affordability have made it a magnet for tourists in recent years, but this popularity has come at a cost for locals. Since 2015, housing prices have nearly doubled, far outpacing the growth of local salaries. The culprit, according to housing activists, is the proliferation of short-term rentals.
“Short-term rentals take most of the housing space in Lisbon’s historic centre. We need to put the brakes on this.”
– Raquel Antunes, Movement for a Housing Referendum
The numbers paint a stark picture: Lisbon is home to around 20,000 tourist flats, many of which are concentrated in the city’s residential buildings. This has left long-term residents scrambling for affordable housing options as landlords opt for the more lucrative short-term rental market.
A Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum
Determined to take action, housing activists from the Movement for a Housing Referendum began collecting signatures in early 2023. As they canvassed the city, they were met with an outpouring of support from residents eager to share their stories and demand change.
Some spoke of feeling like strangers in their own buildings, surrounded by a revolving door of tourists. Others watched helplessly as housing prices climbed out of reach. At the heart of these stories was a shared concern for the future of Lisbon and its residents.
“People told us about what kind of city they want to see. What kind of country do we want for youth, for elderly people, for people who can’t get houses?”
– Raquel Antunes, Movement for a Housing Referendum
The petition’s 6,600 signatures from Lisbon taxpayers are bolstered by an additional 4,400 from supporters who have been priced out of the city. Their voices, though absent from the official count, underscore the far-reaching impact of the housing crisis.
The Road to a Referendum
With the petition set to be delivered to the municipal assembly, housing activists are hopeful that their call for a referendum will be heard. If approved, the proposed ballot measure would phase out the city’s tourist flats within six months and bar landlords from setting up new ones in residential buildings.
Activists stress that their aim is not to eliminate tourist lets entirely, but rather to restrict them to buildings designated for commercial use, such as hotels and hostels. This compromise, they argue, would strike a balance between the needs of residents and the tourism industry.
“It would be a great step in the right direction. Not only to listen to people but also to give them hope that we can make a city that is for everyone, not just for those who have money.”
– Raquel Antunes, Movement for a Housing Referendum
A Beacon of Hope for Other Cities
As Lisbon grapples with its housing crisis, cities around the world are watching closely. From Barcelona to Amsterdam, local governments are seeking ways to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of their residents. If successful, Lisbon’s referendum could serve as a powerful example of citizen-led change and a model for other destinations facing similar challenges.
The fight for affordable housing in Lisbon is far from over, but the tireless efforts of housing activists have ignited a spark of hope. By demanding a say in how their city’s housing is used, residents are reclaiming their right to shape the future of their communities. As the world watches, Lisbon stands poised to write a new chapter in the story of sustainable tourism and livable cities.
