After years of internal squabbles in the coalition government, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has agreed with its partner, Unite in Our Power, to approve a housing bill. He is represented by civil society organizations, through which the government of Pedro Sánchez plans to fulfil one of the commitments made before he took office.
Tenant unions presented the bill on 30 September, Nadie Sin Hogar (Nobody Homeless) and Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (Mortgage Affected People’s Platform). Nine political parties supported it, but its implementation depended on the government’s consent, which was obtained in the first week of October.
According to Fernando Bardera, a representative of the Madrid Union of Tenants and one of the project’s initiators, the document will oblige the state to take measures similar to those in force several years ago in neighbouring countries. These include limiting evictions and ensuring that only those with an alternative place of residence are evicted.
Meanwhile, the state housing stock will increase from the current almost non-existent 1.5%. In terms of rent, the cap will be enforced in areas considered stressful or where rental prices are much higher than the salaries of residents.
“State regulation of pricing policy will be carried out. Tenants will not be able to ask for more than the rules set out,” explained Fernando Barder.