A major program aimed at tackling housing challenges is starting in Spain’s capital region. The regional government has announced the launch of fifteen new measures designed to make it easier for residents to find a home and make renting more affordable. Special attention is being given to young people under 35 and families facing difficult life circumstances.
Key innovations include the construction of a thousand new apartments specifically for young citizens. These homes will be built across various municipalities, including cities like Alcalá de Henares, Villanueva de la Cañada, and Madrid’s Aravaca district. As a result, the total housing stock for this group will rise to 5,500 units.
At the same time, authorities plan to increase the supply of affordable rentals: by 2027, the number of such apartments will reach 14,000. An additional 500 new homes will be created for families at risk, bringing their total to 2,100. The region will also introduce a special quality mark for properties participating in the rent support program, aiming to boost security and trust in these rental offers.
Streamlined procedures and new opportunities for developers
A key part of the reform will be the ability to change the designated use of land plots: areas previously intended for hotels can now be used to build state-supported housing. In addition, the density and number of floors for new projects will increase—by 20% and 10% respectively—which will allow more homes to be built without lengthy approvals.
Construction costs will be reduced by lowering the mandatory number of parking spaces per development—now only one space per apartment will be required. This measure is expected to make new projects more cost-effective and speed up their completion.
Support for buyers and faster bureaucracy
The ‘My First Home’ program is now available not only to young people, but to citizens up to 50 years old. Newly built properties have also been included, expanding the pool of potential participants. To speed up all procedures, a dedicated agency is being created to assist citizens at every stage of applying for aid and processing documents.
Authorities also plan to launch a special ‘urban accelerator’ so municipalities can allocate land plots, issue permits, and speed up project timelines more efficiently. This is expected to give a fresh boost to the region’s real estate market.
Legislative initiatives and partnership with business
A new law will soon be enacted to simplify access to land resources, speed up project approvals, and provide greater legal protection for investors and municipalities. As part of a public-private partnership, another 4,300 apartments are planned for construction. Additionally, the region has opened its first vocational institute specializing in construction and civil engineering, aimed at training new professionals to help achieve these ambitious goals.
