The Councilor for Mobility, Territory and Housing, José Luis Mateo, has recognized that access to housing constitutes “the greatest challenge of today’s society” and has announced that the Government is planning to build more than 7,000 affordable housing units in the Balearic Islands, of which 1,000 will be located in Ibiza, one of the most stressed islands of the archipelago.
During his speech at the Parliament, Mr. Mateo also expressed his confidence that SEPES will finally transfer to the Town Hall of Ibiza the plot number 10 of Can Escandell, a key site for promoting a public development of 170 housing units for residents.
Criticism for the increase in settlements
The announcement came in response to a question from socialist deputy Álex Pitaluga, who demanded immediate measures to address the housing crisis on Ibiza. As he recalled, the island registers some of the highest purchase prices in the country, a situation that is leading many people to live in informal settlements “with serious health and environmental risks”.
Pitaluga also warned that these settlements “do not stop growing” and that the lack of housing is directly affecting young people who cannot emancipate themselves and essential professionals, such as health or education workers, who cannot find available housing. The deputy accused the conseller of “wasting time and not facing the problem”.
Among the possible solutions, the socialist again raised the limitation of the price of rents, a measure that, in his opinion, could help to contain the escalation of prices in the Ibizan market.
The minister defends the Government’s shock plan
For his part, Mateo defended the shock plan launched by the Government to increase the number of homes for residents and stressed that he is fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.
The councilor, however, rejected the proposal to limit rental prices, arguing that this measure has had negative consequences in cities such as Barcelona, where, he said, regulation has led to a reduction in the available supply.
With the focus on multiplying the construction of public housing and speeding up ongoing projects, the Government is confident that the set of initiatives announced will gradually relieve the pressure on the real estate market in Ibiza and the rest of the archipelago.
