There is a bold goal for the Valencian Community: more than 10,000 social homes in the next legislature. This commitment was voiced by the current president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and the new autonomous Government is making it a central priority. To turn this promise into action, the path must be cleared first at the regulatory level. Working in ongoing dialogue with supporters, the Consell is reviewing three decrees introduced during Botànic. The most critical is the Official Protected Housing regulation, which examines rising sale prices and aims to make these homes accessible to average earners. The other two decrees focus on design and quality in construction to boost building activity, and on initial trial and withdrawal to prevent the service bottlenecks that the bureaucratic complexity of this regulation has caused in regional Housing services.
Mazón has repeatedly asserted that this will be the housing legislature and seeks to implement a plan in close collaboration with project builders so they can operate with fewer obstacles. In the medium term, the objective is to promote a new autonomous housing law that consolidates all existing rules into a single text, balancing social and sector interests while providing greater legal certainty for developers.
However, while these plans unfold, the most urgent regulations are being reviewed. The first step came last October with the suspension of the decree approved by Botànic on May 26, just days before the regional elections. The decree concerned design and quality standards in construction. From the viewpoint of both the industry and the regional administration, the goal is to correct a situation marked by prejudices and misalignment with current realities.
At the same time, the Department for Social Services, Equality and Housing confirmed that two other ordinances are also under review. As Jesualdo Ros, secretary general of the Association of Real Estate Developers of the Province of Alicante (Provia), explained, one aim within the VPO regulation is to widen access so that average incomes can qualify for these homes. The current basic requirement sets a family income ceiling at 4.5 times the Multiple Public Income Indicator (Iprem), which translates to roughly 2,600 euros per month. Additional conditions include housing allocation and permanent residency for the family. Ros emphasizes that the intention is to loosen the margins so more families with average incomes, who face significant barriers to purchasing subsidized housing, can obtain a protected apartment.
Mazón to meet with developers and city councils to promote social housing
This initiative is also seen as increasing the sector’s profitability amid rising material costs and higher bank rates. Yet the goal is greater than short-term gains. The project owners’ representative notes that innovative approaches are being explored, such as transferring public land to companies through agreements or leveraging European funds. It is also acknowledged that to keep social housing affordable, sales prices may need to rise. Current benchmarks show prices around 2,200 euros per square meter in private developments and 1,530 euros per square meter in public developments.
Meanwhile, the decree governing the sale of subsidized housing is being reviewed to determine how the Generalitat can exercise its right more efficiently. The most pressing concern is the administrative load involved in complying with the rule. Four reports are required from sellers, buyers, notaries, and registrars, plus appraisers. This heavy bureaucratic and personnel burden slows regional services that do not have the capacity to respond quickly, a reality that deters investment. The leadership of Provia notes that reaching workable agreements is central to keeping the program moving.
These concerns are also shared by Javier Gisbert, president of the Federation of Public Works of the Province of Alicante, who stresses the willingness of the new Consell to secure agreements that unlock housing projects. The aim is to create a smoother path for social housing from planning to completion.
Guarantees from the Valencian Financial Institute to cover loans
Another important topic discussed in meetings among department representatives and the construction sector is the possibility that the Valencian Financial Institute (IVF) could provide loan guarantees for the purchase of social housing. Jesualdo Ros, Provia’s general secretary, notes that banks typically lend up to 80 percent of a home’s price. The remaining 20 percent could be guaranteed by IVF, enabling buyers to secure full financing. Ros recognizes the regional management’s strong interest in this solution and hopes for swift progress. The idea is to broaden access to financing and stabilize the financing landscape for social housing programs.