Fierce debates over the future of the real estate market continue in Spain. Casa 47 head Leire Iglesias is convinced: there are no quick miracles to expect. According to her, even the most ambitious government programs for affordable housing construction cannot change the situation in a year or two. She emphasizes that significant change will take at least five years. Her statement came during a popular radio program discussing the prospects for the country’s housing sector.
Iglesias notes that Casa 47’s main goal is not just to increase the availability of affordable apartments, but to change the very logic of the market. In her opinion, this is not about a temporary measure but a long-term strategy designed to prevent future housing crises. She believes that only a comprehensive approach—combining construction, regulation, and citizen support—can deliver sustainable results.
A Long Road to Change
In the interview, Leire Iglesias is frank: the impact of new initiatives will not be immediate. Even if tens of thousands of affordable new apartments come onto the market in the coming years, it will only be the first step overall. She stresses that large-scale construction is only part of the solution. It is also necessary to overhaul the market rules so that housing ceases to be an object of speculation and returns to its social function.
According to Iglesias, Casa 47 aims to prove that the affordable housing model can be not just social, but also economically viable. She is convinced that public investment in this sector will pay off if a sustainable system can be created to safeguard the interests of ordinary citizens. However, she cautions against excessive optimism: quick wins should not be expected, and promises of ‘magic’ solutions are nothing more than empty words.
Concrete steps
To date, Casa 47 has already launched the construction and transfer of more than 100,000 apartments with the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda. This is part of a large-scale program targeting 183,000 projects. Many of them are at various stages of completion: from excavation to finished buildings that have already welcomed their first residents.
Iglesias emphasizes that the success of such projects depends not only on the pace of construction. It is crucial that new apartments are meant for living, rather than becoming tools for investors and speculators. To achieve this, she believes additional regulations and targeted support for families most in need of housing are required.
Systemic solutions
The head of Casa 47 is convinced that construction alone cannot solve the problem. She insists on the need for a comprehensive approach that includes legislative initiatives and financial support. In particular, Iglesias highlights the importance of protecting the housing stock from turning into an investment asset. According to her, the government should not only build but also monitor how new properties are used to prevent them from ending up on the short-term rental market or being resold.
Among the priorities is creating a support system for those who cannot afford market prices. Iglesias notes that only a combination of construction, regulation, and subsidies can change the situation in the long run. She urges people not to fall for illusions or expect instant results, reminding that real change takes time and consistent effort.
Expectations and Reality
Despite ambitious plans and significant investments, Leire Iglesias does not promise quick miracles. She emphasizes that even with active government support and new projects being launched, the real estate market responds slowly. According to her, it will only be possible to assess the effectiveness of these measures after several years.
Iglesias also notes that during holidays and periods of high expectations, it’s easy to be tempted to make bold promises. However, she prefers to focus on real prospects rather than “magical” solutions. In her view, only honest discussions about timelines and challenges can restore public trust in government housing initiatives.
If you didn’t know, Casa 47 is a government company created to implement large-scale programs for the construction and provision of affordable housing in Spain. The organization works closely with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, as well as with regional and municipal authorities. Casa 47’s main goal is to ensure long-term stability in the property market and make housing accessible to a broad segment of the population. Under the leadership of Leire Iglesias, the company is carrying out the largest projects in the country’s history, aimed at addressing one of the most pressing social issues in recent years.
