Economist Santiago Niño Becerra argues that Spain’s housing crisis cannot be solved without a dramatic increase in available homes. He dismisses legislative fixes as mere stopgaps and points to millions of empty properties and the rise of tourist rentals as key obstacles.
Spain’s housing shortage is not easing. Santiago Niño Becerra says the only way out is to put more homes on the market. He does not mince words: “The problem will not be solved unless the supply increases.”
His comments come after the eviction of Maricarmen, a case that has drawn national attention. The economist, known for his blunt approach, posted his views online. He made it clear: “It does not matter where the new supply comes from—whether it’s converting tourist apartments back to residential use, bringing empty homes to market, or building new properties.”
According to Spain's Ministry of Housing, the average price of free-market housing reached €2,355 per square meter in the second quarter of 2026, marking a 12.5% year-on-year increase.
Niño Becerra points to a hard number: 3.83 million homes in Spain are empty. No one is registered as living there. Electricity use is almost nothing—just about two weeks per year. He calls these vacant homes a wasted chance and a sign of failed policy that goes back decades.
He traces the roots of the crisis to two big shifts. First, the mass building of subsidized homes for sale in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of these had short protection periods. This did not create a stable rental market. Second, the boom in tourist rentals since 2010. Campaigns pushed families to rent out second homes for extra cash. “Today’s housing problem exists because nothing was done to prevent it,” he says.
The numbers show how deep the problem runs. The June barometer from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) found that 41.5% of Spaniards now see housing as the country’s top issue. That is far ahead of the economic crisis at 19.2% and immigration at 18.9%. On a personal level, 28.4% of people worry most about the economy. Housing is close behind at 27.4%. Healthcare comes next at 21.7%.
The Bank of Spain estimates that the accumulated housing deficit since 2021 stands at around 755,000 homes, and warns it could surpass 1 million by 2028 if current trends continue.
Lawmakers keep arguing over new rules and short-term fixes. Niño Becerra is not convinced. He calls these efforts “patches to calm public opinion.” He warns that unless supply rises sharply, the shortage will drag on. Social tensions will get worse. This pattern is not new in Spain. As reported by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas, deep-rooted problems often get only temporary solutions.
Spain’s housing crisis did not start with one mistake. It is the result of decades of choices that favored quick wins over lasting stability. The data is clear. The challenge is too. Unless Spain acts to unlock empty homes, rethink tourist rentals, and build more, the crisis will not go away. The stakes are high. The time to act is now.
