Fri, 04 Apr 2025

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 Spain tackles housing 'social emergency' as rents double in a decade

The Spanish government is moving to make renting more affordable and boost the supply of homes.

* The average rental cost has increased by 11% in just one year, according to property portal Idealista, making it the biggest worry for Spaniards.
* Many families who rent now spend more than 40% of their income on accommodation, with nearly 40% of all renting families affected.
* Short-term tourist flats are being seen as a major contributor to the crisis, with local administrations and the central government identifying them as part of the problem.
* Protests have been held in dozens of cities, including Madrid, against high rental costs, with thousands expected to take part in a protest on April 5.
* The government has introduced measures to incentivize construction, but critics argue that this is not enough to address the shortage of affordable housing.
* Politicians are divided over how to tackle the crisis, with some advocating for rent control and others pushing for more building to be done.
* The central bank's report found a huge imbalance between supply and demand, with 54 families competing for each property in Barcelona, compared to nine five years ago.
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