Since March 20th, 73-year-old Julián Gurrutxaga has not been able to enter his old farmhouse in Astigarraga, where he was born and lived his entire life. He was evicted without notice, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back, and he still goes there every day to feed his animals. Rosa García Pérez, president of Stop Desahucios de Gipuzkoa, explains Julián’s case at a weekly meeting, where 20 people with housing payment issues listen to her discuss laws, decrees, and codes of good practices related to housing. She mentions the challenges faced by the residents of Gipuzkoa and San Sebastián due to rising housing costs and predatory lending practices.
The average cost per square meter of housing in Spain is 2,079 euros, while it is 2,901 euros in Euskadi and 5,465 euros in San Sebastián. Rental prices in the city have also reached record highs, causing difficulties for the middle class to access housing. The government of Euskadi is working to address the housing crisis, with plans to build 50,000 social rental homes and 112,000 official protection homes by 2036. However, the demand for affordable housing far exceeds the supply, highlighting the severity of the situation in the region.
Euskadi obtained housing competencies in 1981, and in 2015, the Basque Parliament approved a housing law that guarantees citizens the right to a dignified home if they lack the economic resources to obtain one. However, the law is now being challenged by the Spanish government, leading to tensions within the coalition government. The issues surrounding housing legislation are extensively discussed at meetings of Stop Desahucios, highlighting the need for more comprehensive measures to address the housing crisis.
Stop Desahucios calls for the introduction of corrections to banking practices to assist vulnerable families struggling to pay their loans and prevent evictions caused by rising interest rates. The story of Elena Pando, who is facing challenges to pay her mortgage due to financial difficulties, illustrates the impact of the housing crisis on individuals and families. The proliferation of tourist apartments and a shortage of rental housing further exacerbate the housing crisis in Euskadi.
The housing market in Euskadi has become a major source of inequality, with housing costs transferring wealth from lower-income individuals to wealthy investors. The difficulties faced by young people in accessing affordable housing hinder their ability to become financially independent and delay their life goals. Despite efforts by the government to address the housing crisis, the pace of housing policies is not keeping up with the rapidly increasing prices, affecting all sectors of society. Long-term policies and interventions are needed to address the root causes of the housing crisis and promote greater social and economic equity in the region.
