Spain Plans to Triple Funding for Protected Housing Amid Regional Disparities

Spain is advancing its housing policy with a significant increase in investment for protected rental housing, a critical issue for social welfare and youth access to housing. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez has pledged to triple the funding for protected housing to €7 billion as part of the new State Housing Plan for 2026-2030. This increase is contingent on regional governments matching funds and maintaining public housing stock. However, regional responses vary greatly. While Catalonia stands out, committing €4.4 billion to build 50,000 protected homes by 2030, with 31,000 already underway, other regions such as Aragón and Andalucía allocate minimal budget shares to protected housing. Madrid allocates €669 million to housing, with €228.2 million specifically for protected housing, also reporting progress with nearly 1,700 definitive housing qualifications. The push for expanded protected housing is partly driven by pressure from left-wing factions and major city mayors urging the European Union to activate a dedicated budget line. Despite some regional governments’ preference for market-driven solutions over protected housing, these efforts mark a hopeful turn in addressing Spain’s housing crisis, especially for vulnerable populations.