Notable call
On July 23, the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Palma, known as Fedarac, took part in a meeting that brought together various neighborhood groups integrated into the State Confederation of Neighborhood Associations, together with the Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda, Isabel Rodriguez. The meeting was also attended by relevant figures such as the Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Agenda, David Lucas, and the Undersecretary Llanos Castellanos. This type of meeting was called at the request of the Confederation, who stated that the minister, although she had met with various sectors involved in housing issues, had forgotten to include neighborhood entities.
Voices from the neighborhood
From Fedarac, a clear message was delivered that resonated during the demonstration on July 21, where the housing problem was emphasized as a key factor that drove mass participation. The issue of tourist rentals was prominent during the discussions, especially with regard to the modification of the horizontal property law that is on the way. From Palma, the need to implement an absolute ban on tourist rentals in buildings for residential use was raised. The coherence of defining housing as a fundamental right while allowing it to be used as a tool for commercial profitability in spaces intended to be homes is questioned.
Regulatory challenges
Palma neighborhood organizations emphasize that this goes beyond mere inconvenience; This is a gentrification process that threatens residents. Fedarac states that current legislation is extremely protective towards those who illegally exploit homes for tourist purposes, leaving other residents in a situation of vulnerability and lack of protection in the face of a phenomenon that affects their quality of life.
Call to action
The neighbourhood movement is demanding the implementation of urgent measures to ensure access to decent housing. They consider it unacceptable to go back to past times where what was seen as progress has now become a housing crisis, where people go from having a home to living in caravans or vehicles. Demonstrations, such as the one on 21 July, are seen as a turning point, a collective outcry that the current situation can no longer be tolerated. In the case of Palma, they express their concern about the sale of the island in fragments, arguing that the loss of the home also implies a loss of sovereignty and an uncertain future for the community.
