Navarra is changing how it allocates public housing, introducing a lottery for rental homes to make access fairer and more inclusive. On Tuesday, September 22, the region will hold its first public draw for 97 rental properties, most in the high-demand area around Pamplona. A notary will oversee the process, which will be streamed online. It marks a impressive shift from the previous income-based points system.
The change follows a recent amendment to Navarra’s housing regulations, approved by the regional parliament with support from PSN, EH Bildu, Geroa Bai, and Contigo-Zurekin. The new approach aims to address long-standing criticism that the old system excluded basic groups, including young people and single-parent families, as well as residents over 60, who often failed to meet strict income criteria. Applicants must still meet minimum income thresholds: €5,000 for rental, €19,000 for protected purchase, and €24,000 for acquisition. The lottery is intended to give equal chance to everyone who qualifies.
The allocation will be divided into four groups: applicants under 35, those over 60, people registered in the municipality where the property is located, and all other eligible candidates. This structure is intended to distribute housing more evenly across different segments of the population. Online registration runs from September 1 to 10. Applicants must specify which developments they are interested in: 21 homes in Alsasua, 70 in Mutilva, and six in Ansoáin. The targeted selection replaces the previous system, which allowed applicants to be assigned homes anywhere in Navarra. That often led to high refusal rates and left urgent cases unaddressed.
Another change broadens the definition of a family unit. Cohabitants with shared children now qualify, even if they are not married or in a formal partnership. The new rules also penalize applicants who decline an assigned home: anyone who refuses will be barred from reapplying for two years. The measure is intended to curb last-minute withdrawals and direct available homes to people in genuine need.
Publicly protected or government-promoted housing makes up about a quarter of Navarra’s rental market. The region has also introduced rent controls in 21 municipalities identified as having strained housing markets. Data from the Rental Contract Registry as of August 14 show average rental prices in these areas have fallen by 5.1% over the past year. The average contract price in the last quarter was €796.
The shift in Navarra’s housing policy comes as Spain’s broader left-wing coalition faces mounting pressure to address housing shortages and affordability, a topic explored in recent coverage of national housing and migration challenges. Navarra’s lottery is a test of how fairly and efficiently public housing can be allocated while advancing social inclusion.
Debate is growing in Spain over how to manage public housing amid rising demand and limited supply. Regional governments have tried different models, but still face the challenge of ensuring vulnerable groups are not left behind. Navarra’s approach, built around transparency and targeted access, could shape future policy decisions elsewhere in the country.
