Catalonia continues its intensive efforts to increase the number of available apartments for local residents. This time, the government announced the purchase of 170 properties from InmoCaixa. The deal is worth 15 million euros, and the new apartments are located in Banyoles, Lleida, and Mollet del Vallés.
This is already the third such contract between the authorities and InmoCaixa, as a result of which the region has acquired nearly 900 apartments. Total spending on these transactions has approached 60 million euros. The latest acquisition marks a significant step in the ongoing strategy to provide housing for citizens, especially amid ongoing tenant protests and pressure from community organizations.
The situation surrounding these homes escalated after the expiration of their social housing status, when landlords began raising rents and changing lease terms. Residents faced the threat of eviction and higher payments, sparking a wave of discontent. In response, tenants organized a rent strike, refusing to pay rent directly to the owner and instead transferring funds to a special account until an agreement is reached.
The Catalan authorities have not limited themselves to purchasing existing apartments. Negotiations are currently underway to acquire over a thousand more properties from the same company. In addition, there are plans to build 50,000 new apartments and prepare sites for the construction of more than 200,000 additional units. The region is also discussing measures to regulate the rental market to curb price increases and protect tenants’ rights.
Public response and tenants’ demands
The government’s actions have been positively received by strikers and tenants’ unions. They see this as the first tangible result of their fight for fair housing conditions. However, protestors’ demands go beyond transferring the apartments to state ownership. Key points include recognizing collective bargaining, extending contracts without contentious terms, setting rent based on family income, and ensuring decent housing conditions.
In some cities, such as Banyoles, residents have already announced they will continue withholding payments until their demands are met. They are also insisting that the authorities purchase other properties in similar situations and halt legal proceedings against the strikers.
Outlook and next steps
The Catalan government intends to further expand the housing stock through new purchases and construction. In the near future, additional agreements are expected to be reached with parliamentary partners, including the creation of a special unit to prevent evictions. This is set to become another tool to protect tenants’ interests and stabilize the housing market.
Authorities are also considering introducing restrictions on speculative property purchases to prevent apartments from becoming investment assets and ensure they are used as intended—for housing citizens. All these measures are aimed at making housing in Catalonia more affordable and protecting the rights of those most vulnerable to market changes.
