Pedro Sánchez announces measure in response to anger over rising housing costs

The measure was one of a dozen unveiled on Monday by the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the government seeks to quell mounting anger over housing costs that have soared far beyond the reach of many in Spain.

Sánchez sought to underline the global nature of the challenge, citing housing prices that had swelled 48% in the past decade across Europe, far outpacing household incomes.

“The west faces a decisive challenge: to not become a society divided into two classes, the rich landlords and poor tenants,” he told an economic forum in Madrid.

The proposed measures include expanding the supply of social housing, offering incentives to those who renovate and rent out empty properties at affordable prices and cracking down on seasonal rentals. In Spain just 2.5% of housing is set aside for social housing, a figure that lags drastically behind countries such as France and the Netherlands, said Sánchez.

  • KecessaEnglish
    107·
    20 hours ago

    At some point you wonder, why not just prevent them from owning homes if they’re not citizens? Kick em out and tell them to come back when they’re EU citizens, problem solved.

    • firadin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      54 minutes ago

      So immigrants all have to be renters? I don’t know the wait times in Spain, but in the US, it can take 20 years to become a citizen despite being on long-term visa or already a permanent resident. Meanwhile, citizens are allowed to engage in exploitation freely?

    • TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.eeEnglish
      141·
      20 hours ago

      At some point you wonder, why not just prevent them from owning homes if they’re not citizens?

      Money. Foreign investment also appreciates the value of domestic property owners as well. Aka fuck you I got mine syndrome.

        • KecessaEnglish
          2·
          9 hours ago

          Just for those not wealthy enough to not care

            • KecessaEnglish
              2·
              8 hours ago

              I think you underestimate what it is to have so much money that you don’t have to care about how it’s spent. A billionaire could spend a million a day for three years and still be left with millions because of the interest they make.

        • reksas@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          7·
          18 hours ago

          Its quite clever way to do it though. Straight out ban would easily rise more opposition because it seems more severe and this way there might be some income too so its likely easier to suggest.