The initiative aims to support families from Vila do Conde who have a lease agreement in the private market, by granting a temporary financial contribution that can cover up to 50% of the rent actually paid.

The support is intended for residents in the municipality for at least two years, without their own home, and in a situation of economic vulnerability, and who are not already beneficiaries of other rental support programs, namely state programs.

The contribution given by the municipality will be granted to each household for a period of 12 months, which can be renewed up to a maximum of 36 consecutive or interspersed months.

Interested parties, who must have a legal lease agreement registered with the tax authorities, will have to submit their application for support on the municipality's website, between May 27 and June 14, subject to the premises of the program regulations.

"It is a measure that complements our Local Housing Strategy, and which shows attention to the difficulties of more vulnerable families who are unable to pay their rent. Our commitment is that in Vila do Conde everyone has the right to the first right to housing", said the mayor Vítor Costa.

Also within the social scope, the municipality also presented another program today, called 'Entre Mãos', which aims to promote the well-being of the municipality's senior community.

This initiative, included in the action plan for disadvantaged communities in Vila do Conde, aims to promote new lifestyles and healthy behaviors among the elderly who live in social isolation, promoting self-esteem and autonomy through educational, physical and leisure activities.

The program, which initially aims to welcome 150 more elderly people from all over the municipality who live alone or do not have a family or institutional support network, will start in September of this year, with a pilot group already identified.

Among the planned activities, all of which are free for the beneficiaries, are teachings in the areas of literacy, digital empowerment actions, health and occupational therapy sessions or recreational and sports activities.

The program, which has a dedicated team from the municipality on a permanent basis, also has the support of the Parish Councils, the security forces, and the social support institutions, which will also help to identify cases of elderly people in a situation of social isolation.

The initiative, which is partly financed by European community funds, and has a global budget of 383 thousand euros, will run until December 2025, and may be renewed later.

"We recognize that there is a part of our senior population that lives in a more isolated way and needs a program that reaches them so that they have healthy aging. It is very important for our social cohesion and inclusion of everyone in our community", concluded Vítor Costa, Mayor of Vila do Conde.

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