The 11 autonomous communities governed by the Popular Party, along with Ceuta and Melilla, have released a joint statement defending their decision not to declare Tense Market Zones in their territories, which are areas where there is a specific problem of access to housing, especially due to skyrocketing prices. This is a response to Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez, who threatened to withdraw funding from regions that do not implement the Housing Law. The signatories of the statement criticize this threat as “blackmail” and state that they will not tolerate it.
Housing policies are managed independently by each autonomous community, with over 70% of measures funded by the central government. Minister Rodríguez stated that those who do not apply the Housing Law will not receive funding from the central government. While she did not specify the exact violation she was referring to, many understood it to be related to the possibility for communities to declare tense zones and set rent price caps. However, this measure is voluntary, and the PP-governed communities have refused to implement it, arguing that they are not obligated to do so.
The joint statement, signed by the governments of various regions, emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of public resources by the state. They argue that the Minister’s warning seeks to impose an unequal distribution of funds based on political ideology. The PP-governed communities demand dialogue with the government to address the housing issue and defend their decision not to declare tense zones, claiming that such measures would reduce housing supply and increase prices. They highlight the young rental bonus as a successful housing policy example, providing €250 in rent assistance.
The statement also addresses issues of housing occupation, with the PP estimating over 78,000 occupied homes nationwide. It mentions inquiooccupation, where tenants stop paying rent while still residing in the property, which has reportedly increased significantly in recent months. The text also refers to President Pedro Sánchez’s announcement of the construction of 183,000 social housing units, which the PP claims are as yet undeclared. The PP criticizes the government for increasing rents by 32% between 2018 and 2024, with a nearly 13% rise after the passing of the Housing Law in April 2023.
The political party Sumar, represented by the Minister of Culture and spokesperson Ernest Urtasun, accuses the PP of blackmailing citizens in regions they govern by refusing to implement the housing law. They call on the PP to fulfill their responsibilities, comply with the law, and enforce rent control. Sumar urges the government to condition housing funds in these autonomous communities on the implementation of the law to limit rents and regulate tourist and seasonal rentals. They criticize the government’s lack of action and call for Minister Isabel Rodríguez to explain her position in Congress.
In response to the criticism from Sumar, Minister Rodríguez has faced pressure to address the housing issue in Congress. Sumar has pushed for legislative action and has called for more proactive governance from the government on this issue. The disagreement between political parties on housing policies highlights the complexity of the issue and the challenges in finding a balance between regulatory measures and market dynamics. The tensions between the central government and autonomous communities governed by the PP reflect broader ideological divides in Spanish politics.
