Politics · Spain · 11 hrs ago
Spain’s ombudsman urges measures to expand public rental housing
Spain’s ombudsman called for a larger public housing supply in a report submitted to parliament.
The proposals include tax incentives to move vacant private homes into affordable rentals and agreements with large property owners to make homes available for rent.
The report says public housing should be kept protected permanently and used mainly for renting rather than sold.
Spain’s public housing stock is estimated at about 3% to 3.5% of homes, compared with an average of 8% to 9% in Europe.
The ombudsman says many protected homes built in earlier decades later lost that status and entered the private market, while housing costs have risen faster than wages.
A larger, stable supply of public rentals could help moderate housing prices and improve access for people most in need.
The report also urges better coordination and long-term planning by public authorities, alongside stronger rental and renovation support.
Spain’s Ombudsman has urged public authorities to expand and preserve public housing, especially homes for rent.
A report submitted to the Spanish parliament proposes 35 measures, including tax incentives to bring vacant private homes into affordable rental and agreements with large property owners.
The Ombudsman says a larger stock of publicly protected homes could help moderate housing prices.
It recommends keeping protected homes permanently in the public housing system and prioritising rental over sale.
The report estimates Spain’s public housing stock at about 3% to 3.5%, compared with a European average of 8% to 9%.
- Who
- Spain’s Ombudsman.
- What
- The Ombudsman proposed measures to expand public housing and increase the supply of affordable rentals.
- When
- Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
- Where
- The report was submitted to the Cortes Generales in Spain.
- Why
- To improve access to affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable groups, and help moderate prices.
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- Proposed measures
- 35
- Spain’s public housing stock
- About 3% to 3.5%
- European average public housing stock
- 8% to 9%
- Report submitted
- Cortes Generales, Tuesday, 3 November 2026
What people are saying
the existence of a sufficient stock of publicly protected homes can act as a regulating factor in the housing market