The country’s new housing law could change so much – but may be reversed if rightwing parties gain more influence
A housing revolution is taking place in Spain. On 26 May, a monumental new housing law came into force. It was the culmination of years of work and sought to enshrine housing as a human right. But now that vision is in danger. Two days after the law passed, rightwing parties won seats in local and regional elections. Last week Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, called a snap election. On 23 July, when Spain goes to the polls, the fate of this law will hang in the balance.
The origins of the law go back decades. In 1956, José Luis de Arrese, who would become Franco’s first housing minister, said that Spain had to change from “a country of working-class tenants to a country of homeowners”. Governments encouraged property ownership at the expense of renting. It created a new class of social housing – “publicly protected housing”. Unlike your average council home, a publicly protected home is subsidised by the government and offered for sale at an affordable price. Once 30 years have elapsed, it can be sold on the free market.
