An ambitious initiative is underway in Catalonia that could transform the region’s housing market. The head of the autonomous government, Salvador Illa, has unveiled a project to build 210,000 new apartments. The plan envisages collaboration between the state and private companies to speed up the process and make housing more affordable.
The authorities aim not just to increase construction, but to raise the share of social housing to a level closer to European standards. Currently, this figure in Catalonia stands at only 3.7%, while the goal is to reach 15%. To achieve this, the planning approach will be revised: the number of new apartments will now be determined not only by urban planning regulations, but also by the actual needs of the population.
The project is divided into several stages. Construction will first begin in areas where urban development plans have already been approved—about 21,000 apartments are expected there. Another 32,000 units are planned in districts where documentation is in the final stages of approval. The largest segment—160,000 apartments—could be built in territories where construction opportunities are still under consideration. Authorities do not rule out that some new buildings may be more compact than usual in order to increase density.
Special attention is being paid to ensuring that a significant portion of new apartments—between 40% and 50%—fall into the category of protected housing. This will help to address the shortage of affordable apartments more quickly and shorten the approval process for developers. Authorities promise that by the end of the year, a second phase of land allocation for construction will be announced.
At the same time, previously announced programs are still being implemented in the region. Currently, 31,000 out of the planned 50,000 apartments are underway, with half of them expected to be completed by 2026. The authorities are using various mechanisms: from transferring municipal land to direct investments and purchasing completed properties.
Alongside housing initiatives, the government of Catalonia is expanding support for young people and families. Over the past year, nearly 2,000 young people have received loans to live independently, and 87,000 families have benefited from rent subsidies. Authorities believe that without addressing the housing issue, it is impossible to overcome social inequality.
During his speech, Salvador Illa also announced new investments in the social sector. These include reducing the waiting time for care assistance, increasing the number of places for medical students, and expanding the firefighting workforce. In addition, Catalonia is preparing to receive refugees from the Arab-Israeli conflict zone, allocating a separate budget for this purpose.
Despite ambitious plans, funding issues and budget approval for next year remain unresolved. Authorities hope to reach an agreement with political partners and secure the necessary resources to implement all planned projects.
