Spain is grappling with a severe housing crisis, with rents doubling in a decade and millions of citizens struggling to afford basic necessities. The situation has led to widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets demanding action from authorities.
A recent report by Spain’s central bank found that nearly 40% of families who rent spend more than 40% of their income on accommodation. This has led to a shortage of affordable housing, with the country needing between 600,000 and one million new homes over the next four years to meet demand.
The crisis is driven by a lack of supply, particularly in central Madrid, where housing costs have soared in recent years. Many tenants are being forced out of their homes, with some having to improvise cooking areas and wash dishes in bathtubs due to broken kitchens.
The Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed a willingness to intervene in the market to bring rental prices under control. However, critics argue that his government’s measures have been too soft, and that drastic reductions in rent are needed to address the crisis.
Gonzalo Álvarez of the Sindicato de Inquilinas e Inquilinos, an organisation campaigning for tenants’ rights, agrees that a shortage of available homes is a problem. However, he argues that building more is not the solution, as homes are being “hijacked” by tourists and vulture funds.
The government has identified short-term tourist accommodation as part of the problem, with some cities restricting permits and Barcelona revoking licenses for all registered short-term apartments by 2028. A new housing law includes a cap on rentals in high-tension areas, but its implementation has been limited to northern regions.
The crisis is set to continue, with Álvarez threatening a nationwide strike by tenants if drastic mandatory reductions in rent are not imposed. With public anger building, it remains to be seen whether the government will take stronger action to address the housing crisis.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8je0xewlgo