According to a source from Faro City Council, the document does not significantly change the current situation, since the current executive is nearing the end of its term and does not intend to condition decisions that will be taken by the next executive, following the local elections scheduled for the end of September or beginning of October.

The same source added that, if the document is approved, Faro will have updated regulations that will allow the next executive to make whatever decisions it wishes for the sector.

The “Draft Municipal Regulation for the Sustainable Management of Local Accommodation in Faro” was approved at a council meeting held on 26 April.

Among the proposed changes are the introduction of the concept of containment areas, sustainable growth areas and the role of the Local Accommodation Provider.

The document warns that the growth in the supply of local accommodation “brings with it challenges in terms of urban management, which, if not managed well, may create pressure on the housing market”.

On the other hand, taking into account the current shortage of housing supply, the priority is to make use of properties not dedicated to permanent housing.

According to data presented in the proposal, the municipality of Faro had 38,638 households at the end of last year, of which 1,016 were local households.

The highest intensity (relevance ratio) of local households was felt in Santa Bárbara de Nexe (4.49%): 135 for a total of 3,010 households.

The average for the municipality is 2.63%, with all other parishes having a percentage lower than this last value.

The largest number of local accommodations is found, as would be expected, in the centre of the capital city of the Algarve, in the parish of Sé/S. Pedro, 683 units out of a total of 26,122 households, for a relevance index of 2.61%.