Spain opened its Fourth National Housing Congress in Málaga with national officials unveiling a framework aimed at expanding housing access for families across the country. Isabel Rodríguez, the housing and urban policy minister, joined veteran industry leader Juan Antonio Gómez-Pintado to emphasize the need for a clear, nationwide plan. The practical aim is simple: convert broad commitments into real steps families can take to secure homes, achieved through cross‑sector collaboration that blends policy with on‑the‑ground action.
Rodríguez underscored that housing challenges touch every citizen, not just a single sector. Policymakers are urged to move beyond narrow economic labels and pursue inclusive housing policies that benefit all households, ensuring the discussion stays broad rather than confined to any one group. The plan contemplates enacting Article 47 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to decent housing. A standard is proposed where no family spends more than 30 percent of its income on housing and related costs. The goal is to expand public housing stock toward the European average and aim for a 20 percent benchmark followed by nations with advanced housing policies, where affordability pressures are typically lower. These targets reflect a commitment to strengthen public housing availability and align with successful international models, easing financial strain on households across the board.
The Málaga remarks aligned with a statement from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, delivered to Socialist party colleagues in Parliament. Housing access, especially for young people, was reaffirmed as a top priority. The Prime Minister underscored that improving housing access is a shared duty among the national government, regional authorities, and municipalities, encouraging political opponents to contribute constructive solutions rather than politicize housing policy.
Gómez-Pintado supported the call for broad sector unity, arguing that a sweeping state housing pact offers the most viable route to overcome current obstacles. He highlighted the importance of collective problem solving to unlock new developments and ensure more people can find affordable homes.
Andalusia Calls for Solutions
During the Málaga opening, regional leaders Juanma Moreno, president of Andalusia, and Francisco de la Torre, Málaga’s mayor, participated. Moreno argued that the administration must intensify efforts to reduce the mismatch between housing supply and demand, a gap he said prevents many young people from achieving independence. Regional data show that since 2010 Andalusia has been building about 10,000 housing units annually, while 25,000 new households form each year. Between 2018 and 2024, only 3,200 protected housing units began construction across the region, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the need for swifter policy action.
The Málaga mayor stressed the essential role of public‑private collaboration in expanding affordable housing. He framed the objective as balancing profitability with social responsibility: developers should pursue projects that deliver affordable and social housing alongside more lucrative ventures. The message was clear: builders must aim for cross‑cutting outcomes that create a more inclusive housing market, not merely the highest‑margin schemes. This stance was highlighted at the event as a practical path toward broader access.