The challenge of housing in Igualada
The problem of accessing housing at reasonable prices is still the center of political discussions in Igualada. Recently, Pau Ortínez, councilor of the Municipal Group Poble Activa, has expressed concern in the fact that the promises of rehabilitation of unfinished buildings, agreed in the budget pact of 2023, are not being fulfilled.
A housing emergency situation
The municipal budget had planned an investment of 500,000 euros for the purchase and completion of interrupted constructions, known as ‘cases’. These structures, which have been stopped for years, represent a missed opportunity at a time when the demand for public rental housing is very high.
The reality of the carcasses
The number of cases in Igualada is alarming; At present, there are approximately thirty empty buildings, many of which have been inactive for more than fifteen years, since the outbreak of the real estate bubble. Councilor Elisabet Farrés emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the rehabilitation of these buildings to increase the offer of accessible homes.
Strategies to address the crisis
Farrés emphasized that the rehabilitation of empty buildings is not only a viable solution, but also one of the most sustainable and economical. In contrast to the construction of new homes, which can be very expensive and long, the recovery of casings would allow a public housing park to be generated faster.
The government’s lack of action
However, the current government, led by Castells, has been criticized for its lack of initiatives. No thorough census of cases has been carried out and the necessary studies have been carried out to determine the costs associated with their rehabilitation.
A crisis in figures
Councilor Rosa Perelló has highlighted the severity of the housing situation in Igualada, emphasizing that in a population of 42,000, there are currently less than ten rental floors available. This shortage has led to an increase of 70% of rent prices in the last decade, according to Incasol statistics.
Proposals for a solution
Perelló has urged the City Council to activate all possible measures to increase the public rental offer, including the rehabilitation of real estate, the mobilization of empty flats of banks and investment funds, as well as the revision of the Municipal Urban Planning Plan (POUM) to facilitate the conversion of tanneries in homes in the Rec district.
The current situation requires an immediate and coordinated response by the authorities in order to mitigate this housing emergency that affects so many citizens of Igualada.