According to the municipality in the Viana do Castelo district, the process of families returning will be conducted in stages, with groups of families moving back to their homes at different times over the next few months.

A note sent to the press today specifies, "Later this week and early next week, five more families will return, while another six will move temporarily so the works can progress."

The project forms part of the municipal social housing strategy financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

Less than a year after the start of the temporary relocation process, the extensive rehabilitation of the Mata Velha social housing neighbourhood preserved only the exterior of the original buildings, giving way to completely transformed, adapted housing for 51 families.

The completed housing units underwent a thorough intervention that included expanding the building to integrate an accessible sanitary facility on the ground floor, an annex, and a new circulation space on the first floor, the complete renovation of the kitchen, equipped with new appliances, and the rehabilitation of floors and walls.

The project also included the complete replacement of the water supply, sanitation networks, and electrical infrastructure.

Regarding thermal comfort, new window frames and thermal insulation were installed on the facades, the roof was replaced, and a heat pump and recovery system were installed. The exterior landscaping and annex are also undergoing renovation.

The Mayor of Vila Nova de Cerveira, Rui Teixeira, quoted in the statement, emphasised that this is "a process aimed at guaranteeing everyone's right to a dignified home, with concrete solutions for different generations, supported by an unprecedented investment and the use of EU funds."

"We are committed to improving the quality of life of our citizens," said the socialist mayor.