There is increasing talk of incentives for construction and rehabilitation as part of the solution, and that makes perfect sense. Measures such as tax cuts can help speed up projects and increase the supply of homes. But this issue requires more than haste. It requires vision.

I believe that reducing VAT on construction and alleviating the IRS burden on landlords can be an important step, especially when these measures are linked to the creation of affordable rental housing. However, we cannot look at these incentives only as an immediate financial benefit. We are talking about something much bigger. The way we build today will define how we will live for decades.

There are risks that we cannot ignore. Incentives alone do not solve everything. Many projects remain stuck in lengthy licensing, slow municipal decisions, and hard-to-understand bureaucracies. In addition, there is a danger that, in the rush to build more houses, the quality of construction will be lowered. And history teaches us well what happens when this happens.

Just look at some areas around Lisbon that grew in a disorderly way in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Many of these neighborhoods were built quickly, on former agricultural land, without proper planning, with poor quality buildings and few public spaces. The result is still felt today in problems of degradation, lack of comfort and rehabilitation difficulties.

The same happened in some areas of the Algarve, developed in a hurry to respond to mass tourism. At first glance it seemed like progress, but today we know how these errors weigh on land planning, the landscape, and the quality of life.

As a real estate agent, I am afraid that, due to social and political pressure, we will fall back into easy solutions. Still, I believe that today we are better prepared. Legislation is more demanding, environmental awareness is greater and society is more attentive. But this will only have an effect if we are rigorous in our decisions.

Economic incentives can have a very positive impact. They can enable new ways of building, such as prefabricated houses, buildings with recycled materials, faster, more efficient, and sustainable solutions. They can help create homes that are smaller, more flexible, and better adapted to today's families. But none of this is worth it if we sacrifice comfort, durability, and dignity.

A house is not just a roof. It is the place where a life is built. Every square meter created today will influence the way we live tomorrow. Therefore, affordable housing has to be treated as what it is: a social priority and an investment in the future of the country.

Incentives must move forward urgently. But they must move forward with clear rules, serious urban planning, and demand for quality. Building more is essential. Building better is indispensable.