Let's talk about housing
The UPC's Centre for Land Policy and Valuation has published the study Five theses on housing policy in SpainPrepared by professors Blanca Arellano-Ramos and Josep Roca-Cladera of the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), these five theses dismantle the PP-Vox arguments regarding the neoliberal housing policies they advocate. Let's examine them:
Is there a housing shortage?
No!!! The numbers speak for themselves, based on the latest available housing census from the INE (2021): Empty homes (3,837,328); Second homes (2,514,511); Housing stock accumulated throughout the 2011-2021 period and pending allocation (1,732,646). Therefore, there is an accumulated excess of housing at the end of the 2011-2021 intercensal period of 8,084,485 homes.
Does building more reduce prices?
No!!! Building more of what interests the unregulated private market (in an environment of excess international liquidity as is happening now) can fuel speculative bubbles and price increases above double digits like the one that occurred just before the Great Recession and as is already happening now.
Is the lack of urban land what determines the rise in prices?
No!!! During the period 1996-2008, Spain 'manufactured' or made available to the construction sector 21.8% of the total urbanized land for infrastructure in the EU, almost as much as France and Germany combined!!! Therefore, the price increases during this period were not a result of a land shortage.
Is it necessary to build more social housing?
Yes! Absolutely. Only 17% of the housing completed between 2007 and 2023 was subsidized housing. Furthermore, the allocation of land for subsidized housing has not contributed to higher residential prices; rather, it has helped to moderate the prices of market-rate housing.
Is it necessary to limit rental prices in high-demand areas?
Yes! Absolutely, yes, since there is no empirical evidence that regulation has reduced supply in the areas where it has been implemented. What does put pressure on prices is the growth of seasonal rentals, the expansion of tourist accommodations, and the low turnover of vacant properties.
The PP's latest idea to solve the serious housing problem is to appeal to the good faith of homeowners to prevent further price increases, and if they cooperate and comply, we, the citizens, will even pay them a subsidy. We present this idea backed up with some figures.
The study presented by CCOO and prepared by the Intercoopera Foundation, Balearic Reference Wage. An island-specific approachIt is estimated that the average salary in the Balearic Islands in 2022 was €1,500 gross, paid in 14 installments. We are the tenth highest-paid autonomous community in terms of average salary. However, to address the serious housing problem in the Balearic Islands, the benchmark salary would need to be €1,983.26 per month, paid in 14 installments, that is, 32.2% higher. Therefore, properly formulated, the PP's idea should be to appeal to the goodwill of landlords to reduce their rents by 32% of their current value. You know the saying: "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a landlord to agree to lower rents by 32%."
