Catalonia announces 'nationwide agreement' to build up to 214,000 new homes, half for social use

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, has announced a "nationwide agreement" to build up to 214,000 new houses in he upcoming years, with at least 40% of these will have official ‘protected’ status. 

The leader of the executive made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon at the annual general policy debate in the Catalan parliament. 

Protected housing in Spain means housing that is designated to certain demographic groups based on set parameters, most commonly age or income. 

Illa hopes to make use of all possible plots of land throughout Catalonia to build more housing. Catalonia has been in a severe housing crisis for years, and in June, housing was cited as the top concern by Barcelona residents in a municipal survey, overtaking safety. 

The Socialist leader aims to activate all possible public-private collaborations to meet the ambitious targets. 

Families allocate one third of their income to housing costs, the president said, and the issue is not only a “priority” for the government, but also a “vision for the country.” Illa wants to see “ambition” and “determination” to implement a veritable change in housing policies in Catalonia. 

The figure of 214,000 houses is calculated in part through areas that have plots of land that can be developed, but don’t yet have housing plans approved for the plots, or which are pending review. In this category, there are between 118,562 and 160,000 houses calculated, with the differences explained by the fact that buildings could be built taller or shorter, or individual housing units smaller or larger, thus changing the overall number of units. The government’s figure of 214,000 is based on the higher end of this scale.

Before the year is up, Catalonia will open a new tender to apply to develop land. “From the government, we want to develop all instruments to build more and faster,” Illa said. “When the market doesn’t work, we have to intervene.” 

“An unregulated market alone won’t guarantee access to housing,” Illa said in the parliament. “The market is failing and administrations have the obligation to intervene.”

“The government will activate all mechanisms so that in 2028, 2029, and 2030, these potential housing units are in the process of construction,” Illa told lawmakers. “We’re talking about 214,000 homes built in a progressive and staggered manner.” 

Illa made similar commitments during last year’s general policy debate, announcing a new housing program to create 50,000 social housing units by 2030. Of those, Illa said that 31,041 of those units are already under construction: 22,241 come from tenders to develop plots of land, 4,000 are public works, more than 3,000 are from local councils, and 1,800 have come from acquisition. 

Housing for young people

A priority for the Catalan government is offering access to housing for young people. 

A housing scheme launched by the government aimed at young people between 18 and 35 years old offers interest-free loans to cover 20% of the value of the home being purchased. The loan grant will only have to be repaid once the mortgage is paid. 

The Catalan Housing Agency will allocate €500 million over the next five years to meet the targets.

This year, from June 30 to September 30, a total of 4,072 applications were registered on the platform for housing loans for young people, of whom 1,832 meet the requirements and 831 have already been approved. 

The average value of the housing units is around €200,000, and the average loan awarded is €36,000.

Gaza, Flotilla, and Puigdemont

Illa began his speech by mentioning the Global Sumud Flotilla activists and pointed out the situation of two MPs who were absent from the chamber. 

The Catalan chief demanded an "end to the genocide" at the beginning of his speech, and highlighted the “nobility and spirit of solidarity” of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and especially the case of CUP MP Pilar Castillejo, who was recently deported after almost reaching Gaza with humanitarian aid and is now back in the country. 

Illa announced that his government will launch a program to facilitate the arrival of Palestinians to Catalonia. He explained that he has prepared a “program to welcome, care for, and dignify the temporary stays of Palestinians in Catalonia,” especially intended for students, hospital patients, and professionals.

Catalonia will also increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and, when possible, the leader pledged to help with the reconstruction of the country. 

The Socialist leader also pointed out the situation of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and Lluís Puig, both still living in Belgium since the peak of the independence crisis. 

Illa reaffirmed his commitment to seeing the amnesty law applied to their cases, which would let them partake in the democratic process in person once again. 

Firefighters, medicine

Illa announced a plan to increase by 4,000 the number of firefighters in Catalonia over the next four years. 

The increase would mean 37% more firefighters in the Bombers de Catalunya force.

The government also intends to increase the number of volunteer firefighters by 28%, up to 2,000 personnel, and plans to acquire five new aerial vehicles for the corps.

President Illa also announced that the number of places to study medicine will be progressively increased in each academic year until 2031, going from the current 1,333 to 2,000.

Libraries and Catalan

€40 million will be invested to improve the library network, something Illa called "a silent treasure of the country."

On the other hand, Illa referred to the situation of the Catalan language and asked for it to be taken care of "every day."

He mentioned the national pact for the language, which he described as "very necessary," and pointed to the increased places in government subsidized language courses, ultimately reaching 40,000 available places.