A social impact panorama
The increase in housing prices has generated a climate of social tension in Spain, where the law that limits rent is often extent for tourist stays. This has caused households, especially tenants, to be in a precarious situation, with an alarming number of evictions that continues to grow.
Mass calls in various cities
On April 5, a large group of unions and associations related to housing has organized demonstrations in about forty cities, including seven of the Catalan regions. With the slogan ‘We end the housing business’, these groups call for an urgent change in housing policies that allow access to a fundamental right.
The rental market deregulation
The home movement has repeatedly warned of the consequences of not regulating seasonal rents, which have significantly proliferated in Catalonia, becoming a lucrative attraction that excludes many tenants.
Iconic cases and local wins
A remarkable example is Casa Orsola, in Barcelona, where the expulsion of tenants by Lioness Inversiones gave rise to a community mobilization that culminated in the acquisition of the building by the City Council. This victory has inspired other tenants’ strikes in various locations such as El Vendrell and Salou.
Political and social reaction
In the Valencian Country and the Islands, the PP’s refusal to apply the price limitations has contributed to an increase in housing prices, with serious consequences for the population. Activists like Nacho Collado indicate that this situation is exacerbated by the pressure of the tourist market, which attracts speculative investments.
Mobilizations in Valencia
The Valencia Housing Union has launched a campaign against the company Sparus Aurata, with the aim of organizing neighbors and stopping evictions, initially focusing on the Benimaclet district.
The impact of tourism on housing
The Balearic Islands, with 27% of the state’s luxury real estate offer, suffer the consequences of an inflated real estate market. Experts such as Jaume Pujol indicate that the current situation not only affects housing, but also has environmental and urban development repercussions, with a large number of tourist places that exceed the number of residents.
The need for regulation
With the increase in seasonal rents in Barcelona, the spokeswoman for the Tenant Union, Carme Arcarazo, emphasizes the importance of regulating these practices to ensure that housing is accessible to all.
Future of the mobilizations
Housing mobilizations continue to gain strength, with events planned in Barcelona and in various cities in the Valencian Country and the Islands. Organizations seek not only to make their voices heard, but also to establish a model of society where housing is a universal right.
University and real estate impact
In a context of struggle, the Tenants’ Union has urged Pompeu Fabra University to reconsider its collaborations with the real estate sector, warning that these relationships can have a negative effect on research related to the right to housing.