On Tuesday 28 November, Vila Nova de Famalicão City Council formalised the transfer of a 9,000 square metre plot of land in the União de Freguesias de Famalicão e Calendário to the Dar as Mãos Association for the construction of a residential space for homeless people and families in social emergency situations.

"It's an ambitious project that will put another valuable social response on the ground to combat inequality and support citizens in the most vulnerable situations," emphasised the mayor, Mário Passos.

The signing of the deed for the land, which took place on Tuesday, was "a small step in a long process", comments Agostinho Fernandes, chairman of the board of the Dar as Mãos Association. The representative of the institution also expressed his gratitude for the support of the City Council, "a partner on this journey", in the materialisation of a project that "will certainly benefit the neediest people in Famalicão".

It should be noted that the "Casa" project will be located on Travessa Vasco da Gama, in Pelhe, and will be the result of an investment of around 2.5 million euros, part of which will be financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), through the Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Institute (IHRU). 

Work is scheduled to start in early 2024 and includes the construction of emergency accommodation, with single rooms for 32 adults and transitional accommodation for four households, as well as support and technical areas and spaces for personal growth, education and well-being, aimed at training and vocational training for homeless people, people with disabilities and people in socio-economic need.