Major real estate deal in Catalonia
The Catalan government has announced the purchase of 170 apartments from InmoCaixa for approximately 15 million euros. The transaction is set to be finalized on November 13. This move is part of a large-scale program to expand the public housing stock and maintain the social housing status of the acquired properties.
Geography and purchase details
The properties involved are located in three cities: Banyoles (Girona), Lleida, and Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona). The average price per apartment was 88,200 euros. This marks the third such acquisition from InmoCaixa, bringing the total number of apartments bought since Salvador Illa became president to 843. Authorities emphasize that these measures aim to ensure long-term housing affordability for local residents.
Social tensions and government response
The housing purchase comes at a time of heightened social tension over rental issues. For more than seven months, 68 families from Banyoles, Sentmenat, Sitges, and Palau-solità i Plegamans have been on a tenant strike in social-status buildings managed by InmoCaixa. During this period, tenants have withheld around 230,000 euros in rent payments. The Catalan government stresses that guaranteeing the right to housing remains a priority, rather than turning real estate into a financial asset.
Plans to further expand the housing stock
In addition to the apartments already acquired, the Catalan authorities are negotiating the purchase of another 1,107 units. If agreements are reached, the total number of new apartments in the public housing fund will exceed 1,900. On the same day the deal with InmoCaixa is finalized, an agreement is expected to be signed with the political group Comuns regarding evictions and the regulation of large property owners. This is intended to strengthen the region’s social housing policy.
Public response and outlook
Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing issues for the Catalan government. The large-scale purchase of apartments from InmoCaixa is seen as an attempt to bring properties back under government control which might otherwise go to the private market and lose their social housing status. With rising rental prices and increasing difficulties for young adults to access housing, such measures are becoming especially relevant. November 13 is expected to be a key date for the further development of the region’s housing policy. Meanwhile, civil society organizations continue to insist on transferring more housing from the private sector to the public stock.
