Affordable Housing in Portugal

Enabling private impact investment to help tackle the housing crisis

Divine Lavender is a social impact housing initiative based in Portugal.

We provide dignified, below-market rentals to people facing housing barriers — especially migrants, refugees, and displaced professionals — while creating healthy returns for values-aligned investors.

Our model combines real estate with empathy: co-housing projects, NGO partnerships, and a commitment to community, not just contracts.

* photo from our Barreiro building being fully renovated

2022 -> NOW

What We've Done So Far

  • In 2023, we acquired and rented out two pilot apartments in Barreiro and Fogueteiro to migrant and refugee tenants, in partnership with JRS Portugal.

  • These tenancies have been stable, fully paid, and conflict-free since day one.

  • We tested key aspects of the model: acquisition, NGO collaboration, affordability thresholds, and tenant support.

  • Based on this success, we decided to scale the model.

What We're Doing Now

  • We’ve acquired a 10-room building in Barreiro, currently undergoing full renovation.

  • This will become our first co-housing pilot, combining:

    • Migrant and refugee tenants (supported by JRS)

    • Portuguese tenants (referred by CRESCER)

    • Displaced professionals

    • A resident Community Manager from the Lisbon Project

  • The goal: build a balanced, supportive, and stable community with below-market rents and long-term vision.

  • Rooms are expected to be ready for move-in by September 2025.

CRESCER

Portuguese tenant selection and support

JRS Portugal

Refugee tenant selection & support

OUR PARTNERS

The Lisbon Project

Community-building, integration and resident engagement

Why are impact investors interested?

  1. Tangible Social Impact - Each building directly supports up to 10 - 12 people through stable, below-market housing, including migrants, refugees, and low-income Portuguese residents. The long-term goal is to scale this model to reach dozens more.

  2. Sustainable Returns - Our blended rent model enables predictable annual yields of 3–4%, balancing social purpose with financial stability. Public incentives and fixed-rent programs could further reinforce income reliability.

  3. Community-Led Urban Regeneration - We acquire and renovate underused properties in high-potential urban areas — revitalising buildings, stimulating local economies, and fostering integration in a time of growing housing inequality.

  4. Energy-Conscious Renovation – We upgrade each building with energy efficiency in mind: improved insulation, double-glazed windows, modern water and electricity systems — creating more comfortable homes with lower environmental impact.

FAQs

  • We follow two affordability principles:
    – Rent should be no more than 33% of a household’s net income
    – And, 60–80% of the local market rate
    This ensures rent is truly manageable for each person’s situation.

  • We house a mix of:
    – Migrants and refugees referred by NGOs like JRS
    – Portuguese tenants, including some referred by CRESCER
    – Displaced professionals like teachers, police, health workers, or students

  • Shared apartments with private bedrooms and common areas (kitchen, bathrooms, garden).
    Each building includes a Community Manager who lives onsite and supports healthy communication and a peaceful atmosphere. Our NGO partners provide light follow-up and integration support for referred tenants.

  • Through a careful balance of tenants, public incentives, and below-market rent strategies, we can offer long-term affordability and a modest, steady return to aligned investors.

Meet the Team

  • Tom Archer

    CO-FOUNDER

    Supporting the project from a networking, investment, and financial aspect. Born and raised near London, after graduating from Edinburgh University Tom went on to found ALTIDO which currently manages over 3000 properties across Europe. He recently sold the business and is focusing on several impact-based projects and start-ups. He has lived in Portugal for 4 years and now resides with his wife, Tamara, and their 9 month old, Alma, in Seixal.

  • Tamara Curtis Archer

    CO-FOUNDER

    Supporting the development of the project’s social purpose and activities. Graduate of Arabic and Social Anthropology and UK-trained social worker with experience in local government and anti-trafficking charities in the UK and the migrant/refugee support sector in Portugal. Has lived in and loved Lisbon for four years and is passionate about contributing to the development of sustainably good social enterprise.

  • Tiago Matos Alves

    OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

    Managing the operations and networking with people/institutions to develop and scale the project. Born and raised in Lisbon with a vast network and considerable knowledge of the real estate markets of Lisbon and Portugal. Worked in consulting and financial markets and studied data analysis, management, and financial risks and markets.

Want to hear more?

Email
tiagomatosalves@gmail.com

Email us!

Location
Lisboa, Barreiro, Seixal
Portugal

Do you want to refer a tenant for our newly refreshed building in Barreiro?

Fill up this form and we’ll be in touch with you soon!