A scandal over the distribution of housing for the underprivileged in Alicante has once again highlighted concerns about oversight of social programs. At the center of the story are five young people from one family who received apartments in the Les Naus complex. This situation has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the process, as well as how such schemes affect housing access for other city residents.
According to El Pais, the case concerns three brothers and two cousins between the ages of 18 and 24. Each of them was granted a separate apartment in a public housing complex designed to support those unable to afford a home. However, an inspection revealed that many apartments remain vacant and some residents are registered at the addresses fictitiously. In some instances, more than one person is living in a single apartment, despite the units being intended for individual occupancy.
Inspection and suspicions
Alicante police carried out an inspection on the orders of Mayor Luis Barcala (Luis Barcala) following requests from regional authorities and the opposition. The investigation found that nearly 50 registrations have yet to be confirmed, and 26 mailboxes are overflowing with unopened letters and advertisements. This may indicate that the residents are not actually living at the registered addresses.
Particular attention was drawn to the age of the apartment recipients. Authorities questioned how such young people managed to qualify when the program is intended for those truly in need of support. There are suspicions that various schemes, including splitting families into separate households, were used to bypass income requirements.
Connections with officials
The issue turned out to be broader than a single case. The police report notes that among the beneficiaries are individuals linked to the municipality and the urban planning department. In particular, a former head of the urban planning department and a former head of the city hall’s contracts department also received apartments. After the revelations, both officials resigned.
Of the 140 apartments in the Les Naus complex, 89 are occupied by only one resident, which is unusual for such projects. More than one person lives in 20 apartments, while 46 have no registered residents at all. This violates the rule that requires housing to become a primary residence within six months after the paperwork is completed.
Reaction and consequences
The opposition accused Mayor Barcala of a lack of oversight and violating the rights of Alicante residents to affordable housing. Authorities have promised to investigate the situation and take steps to prevent such cases from recurring. The findings have now been sent to the regional housing ministry for further action.
Scandals surrounding the allocation of social housing in Spain are not new. In recent years, various regions across the country have seen cases of fake registrations, preferential allocation to acquaintances, and violations in the selection of candidates. Such incidents spark public outcry and lead to a review of housing distribution rules, as well as stricter oversight of social programs.
