Rural Portugal faces severe depopulation, leaving homes, farms, and agricultural land increasingly abandoned. Inspired by Italy’s €1 House system, this project proposes a model of free housing in exchange for the long-term stewardship and rehabilitation of rural land. Unlike the Italian model, where residents are responsible for renovation costs, the proposal connects housing rehabilitation with public funding and agricultural land management. Income from renting abandoned farmland, alongside government and European funding, could help finance the restoration of vacant homes.

Focusing on Castelo Branco, the project transforms derelict farms into affordable homes and small communities while preserving existing architecture and rural heritage. Through adaptive reuse, salvaged materials, and shared amenities, the model aims to reduce costs while supporting local economies, agriculture, and community life. By removing the burden of housing costs, residents can dedicate more time to land stewardship, agriculture, skills development, and community, turning abandoned rural landscapes into homes, productive land, and thriving communities.