New initiative to address the housing issue
The authorities of the Basque Country (Euskadi) have announced the launch of a major project aimed at expanding the stock of affordable housing. As part of this program, additional floors will be added to 65 public buildings currently used for rental purposes. This approach will almost triple the number of municipal apartments without utilizing new land plots. In addition to the existing 937 apartments and 253 under construction, another 2,000 units are planned.
Implementation features and legal changes
The project became possible thanks to changes in regional legislation that allow the addition of up to two floors to buildings with flat roofs. This does not require revising urban planning documents, which significantly speeds up the approval process. The new apartments will be classified as social housing, and the overall building density will not increase. Authorities note that this method allows for a rapid response to the growing demand for rental housing, especially among young people and those starting out on their own.
Pilot projects in three provinces
This year, six pilot projects will be launched, covering all three provinces of the region. In Álava, work will begin in the Zabalgana neighborhood of Vitoria-Gasteiz. In Bizkaia, new floors will be added in the Miribilla area of Bilbao and in the municipality of Leioa. In Gipuzkoa, construction is planned in Mutriku and Arrasate. These pilot projects will result in 210 to 250 new apartments, intended for temporary and rotational housing. The main target audience is young people, as well as citizens currently seeking employment.
Focus on innovative technologies and sustainability
The program includes collaboration with the Kabian initiative, which unites social cooperatives. Modern construction methods are used here: lightweight modular wooden structures help reduce costs, speed up delivery times, and minimize environmental impact. This approach meets today’s standards for sustainable development and helps create new jobs, including opportunities for people in challenging life situations.
A response to rising prices and social challenges
The launch of the program coincided with a period of record housing price growth in the region. As of September last year, rental and real estate prices in the Basque Country reached an all-time high. Authorities hope that increasing supply on the market will help stabilize the situation and make housing more affordable for a broader segment of the population.
