Families living in social housing in the municipality of Marinha Grande, in the district of Leiria, were exempt from paying rent for the month of February, in a decision taken by the municipality in response to the impacts caused by the Kristin depression. The measure applies exclusively to households living in municipal properties and comes in a context of increased economic difficulties.
The announcement was made after several days marked by material damage, service interruptions and constraints on the population’s daily lives. The decision is part of a wider set of emergency responses adopted at a local level, at a time when several regions of the country continue to recover from the effects of bad weather.
Direct support to the most vulnerable families
Cited by the Lusa news agency, the Marinha Grande City Council explains that it has taken “extraordinary social support measures, aimed at alleviating the financial strain of families in the municipality, in a particularly demanding context due to the effects of Storm Kristin”. In this context, the municipality determined the total suspension of payment of social housing rents for February 2026.
According to the same source, the measure aims to support households in a more fragile economic situation, avoiding new burdens in a period marked by losses and difficulties. “Determined the total suspension of payment of social housing rents for the month of February 2026”, says the note released by the municipality.
Ensure housing stability
The news agency writes that the decision was justified by the need to ensure housing stability and security. “The objective is to guarantee housing stability and security, avoiding situations of non-compliance during this exceptional period”, states the chamber chaired by Paulo Vicente.
The municipality of Marinha Grande currently has 265 social housing units, a number that allows us to measure the scope of the measure and the direct impact on the population covered by this temporary exemption.
Free urban transport
In addition to suspending rents, the municipality also moved forward with measures in the mobility sector. According to the same source, the temporary withdrawal of payment for tickets from TUMG, Transportes Urbanos da Marinha Grande, was determined until February 15th.
“All passengers use urban transport free of charge”, says the municipality, explaining that the initiative aims to ensure essential travel. According to the same source, the objective is to guarantee access to work, health services and schools.
Overhead lines and conditioned operation
It explains, however, that the transport service continues to operate in a restricted manner due to operational constraints. Some lines are temporarily suspended, namely Green 2, Red 9 and Purple 11.
On the other hand, says the same source, the Green 1, Red 10 and Purple 12 lines remain in full operation, with reinforcement and extension of timetables, while the rest operate without changes compared to the usual regime.
A national emergency context
These local decisions arise in a broader scenario of national impact. It is known that 14 people have died in Portugal since last week following the passage of depressions Kristin, Leonardo and Marta, which also caused hundreds of injuries and displacement.
The Centre, Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Alentejo regions are among the most affected, with destruction of homes and businesses, falling trees, power and water cuts, closure of schools and roads, as well as flooding. The Government extended the calamity situation until February 15th for 68 municipalities and announced a support package of up to 2.5 billion euros.
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