European Parliament Discovers What Locals Already Know: Lisbon is Expensive
In a stunning display of investigative prowess, a delegation of MEPs has just wrapped up a fact-finding mission to Lisbon and—brace yourselves—discovered that housing there is, in fact, unaffordable. Who could have seen that coming? (Besides literally everyone who lives there.)
From March 30 to April 1, the European Parliament’s Housing Committee descended upon Portugal’s capital to crack the case of why people can’t afford homes. Spoiler alert: it’s the Airbnbs. And the speculation. And the lack of public housing. Basically, it’s everything locals have been shouting about for years.
Committee Chair Irene Tinagli delivered the earth-shattering revelation: “Our mission to Lisbon highlighted the growing gap between housing markets and people’s real lives.” Translation: Rich people are buying all the apartments to rent to tourists, and actual residents are getting priced out faster than you can say “pastel de nata.”
The delegation discovered that in certain areas, a “staggering percentage” of apartments have been converted into short-term tourist rentals. Staggering! Who knew that turning entire neighborhoods into hotel districts might make it hard for families to, you know, live there?
But here’s the kicker: Tinagli insists “this is not only a Portuguese issue—it is a European one.” So congratulations, Europe! Your housing crisis is officially continental.
The four-member delegation—including representatives from Italy, Romania (twice!), and one actual Portuguese MEP—spent three days connecting dots that housing activists connected years ago. Their conclusion? Housing should be “accessible for all citizens, not a privilege of the few.” Revolutionary stuff.
Now the European Parliament promises to work “closely with local and national partners” to fix things. Because if there’s one thing bureaucracy is known for, it’s lightning-fast solutions to complex problems.
At least they brought snacks for the fact-finding mission. Probably.