The Ministry of Housing and Bioclimatic Architecture, led by Héctor Illueca, the second vice-president of the Generalitat, has accepted the recommendations of Síndic de Greuges. The ministry will reform the housing registration process in the Valencia Community, extending beyond telematics. The administration has also agreed with the ombudsman to adjust the regulations so that when a vulnerable person cannot be provided with public housing, direct rental assistance is offered automatically.
This decision completes the investigation begun by the Ombudsman in November 2021. The inquiry examined how certain provisions in the new Housing Registration Regulation decree could affect the rights of housing applicants and the procedures involved.
Síndic de Greuges pushes Housing to provide rental aid when public flats aren’t available to vulnerable groups
An ex officio complaint examined potential conflicts with the Decree-Law on the social function of housing and the obligation to register with the Housing Demand Registry only in electronic form.
The Ombudsman has consistently asserted that it is the responsibility of the competent Public Administration to initiate all actions and provide assistance once a vulnerable person declares the need for shelter. The goal is to secure the right to decent and affordable housing as quickly as possible.
In response to the advice from Síndic de Greuges, Ángel Luna from the Ministry of Housing stated that within a window of less than six months, specifically 175 days from the application submission, the demand will be met with appropriate housing allocation, and the applicant will be kept reasonably informed about how the housing issue will be resolved.
One year into the new law and transparency becomes Síndic de Greuges’ strongest tool
The closing decision also notes that the ministry has agreed to take the necessary steps to ensure these measures are reflected in the Generalitat Valenciana annual budgets for 2023. The aim is to bolster financial resources to guarantee the effectiveness of the right to housing by increasing the stock of housing as defined by the Law on the Social Function of Housing.