The Vida Justa movement denounced this Friday that the Chamber of Loures carried out more than one dozens of evictions in the last three weeks in the Quinta do Mocho neighborhoodsome of them due to water debts.
Evictions in the Quinta do Mocho neighborhood, located in the city of Sacavém, have been taking place at least since June and have continued ever since, according to Kedy Santos, from the Vida Justa movement, told the Lusa agency.
“In the last three weeks there have been evictions, including of a lady who was wearing breathing support equipment. She was placed on the street with the machine turned off and we were the ones who then had to take the lady to the City Council services”, he said.
Kedy Santos also mentioned that some of the evictions that are taking place in this neighborhood in the Lisbon district are arising from possible water debts and not from rent.
“The SIMAR [Serviços Intermunicipalizados de Água e Saneamento] they are sending debts to finance and if families do not negotiate with finance, debts will increase, interest rates and the risk of default”, he warned.
The activist indicated that there are also people and families who are receiving threats of eviction due to water payment debts from family members who have already died, who were the contract holders.
“People are very angry and we have people who say that if they are put on the street they could lead to situations of violence. So, we are trying at all costs to prevent this from happening and to find a channel of communication and some consideration, both on the part of the residents, and also on the part of the executive itself”, he pointed out.
In this sense, Kedy Santos said that the Vida Justa movement will meet on Saturday with the residents of Quinta do Mocho, to hear their concerns.
Contacted by Lusa, source from the Chamber of Loures, chaired by Ricardo Leão (PS), justified “the evictions” with “prolonged non-compliance, illegal occupations and repeated violation of social housing rules”.
“The cases that are being resolved concern situations in which, despite successive notifications and opportunities granted to regularize non-compliances, nothing was done in this regard. When he took office, in 2021, this executive was faced with a housing stock in which 55% were in default. Today, as a result of rigorous, permanent and socially responsible work, that number has dropped to 13%, ensuring greater justice, transparency and responsibility in access to municipal housing”, highlighted the municipality.
The Chamber of Loures also recalled that “there is a waiting list with around a thousand families that meet all the criteriawho live in a vulnerable situation and who have been waiting for years for a fair response”.
“Good management of the housing stock requires that those who comply have priority, which is why Loures City Council does not tolerate improper occupation or persistent non-compliance”, added the municipality.