Barcelona public housing expansion has accelerated significantly. The City Council has bolstered its stock by acquiring nearly 300 new homes in a strategic push to combat the city’s affordability crisis. This expansion, driven by an investment of €48.95 million throughout 2025, marks a pivotal step in the local government’s ambitious ‘Live Plan’ (Pla Viure). The city previously addressed similar concerns when a new ordinance relaxed the right of first refusal and repurchase.
As the city enters 2026, the municipal housing inventory has surpassed 13,000 units. Officials have set a clear target: to make more than 15,000 public apartments available to citizens by 2027. This goal prioritises the right to decent housing over market speculation. Furthermore, the city previously addressed similar concerns when a report showed Catalonia’s housing crisis is set to worsen.
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Home » Barcelona Public Housing Expansion: City Acquires Nearly 300 Homes
Strategic acquisitions across the city
The council’s strategy involves a mix of buying existing residential blocks, securing land for new developments, and rehabilitating heritage sites. Consequently, the operations concluded in 2025 added a total of 296 potential homes to the public registry. Key acquisitions included properties from a major financial institution’s real estate subsidiary. The city previously addressed similar concerns when a decline in tourist housing and holiday rentals was reported.
- 97 existing apartments purchased directly to prevent tenant displacement.
- Three plots of land with the capacity for 119 new-build flats.
- A major property at Via Laietana 8-10, acquired for €22.35 million, which will be converted into 80 public residences.
Among the most notable transactions was the purchase of 38 homes from Building Centre, a real estate subsidiary of CaixaBank, for €5.21 million. These properties are scattered across various neighbourhoods. Therefore, this ensures social housing is integrated throughout the city rather than concentrated in single zones.
Saving Casa Orsola
One of the headline achievements of the past year was the rescue of Casa Orsola in the Eixample district. The modernist building, located at the corner of Consell de Cent and Calàbria, became a symbol of the fight against gentrification when tenants faced eviction.
In a joint operation with the Habitat3 Foundation, the City Council secured the 26-home property for €9.2 million. The council contributed €4.86 million from municipal funds. This move successfully halted eviction proceedings, allowing long-term residents to remain in their homes.
Using every legal tool available
To facilitate this rapid Barcelona public housing expansion, the administration is utilising its right of first refusal (tanteig i retracte). This legal mechanism allows the municipality to step in and match the price of a property sale between private parties. As a result, it ensures buildings remain locally owned and affordable.
Since initiating this policy, the council has added over 1,600 homes to the public stock. Notably, 300 of these were secured through first refusal rights. A recently approved ordinance has strengthened this tool. It now prioritises buildings with vulnerable tenants, empty flats, or those located in areas under intense real estate pressure.
Furthermore, the council has begun purchasing land directly from the asset management company Sareb. For example, a plot in Torre Baró (Nou Barris) was acquired to build 61 new homes. This marks the first direct land purchase of its kind and symbolises a new era of inter-administrative cooperation.
Market regulation showing results
Beyond acquisitions, Barcelona’s designation as a ‘stressed housing market area’ appears to be delivering results. According to municipal data, the average rental price in the city has dropped by 4.9% over the last year.
Complementing these measures are stricter regulations on seasonal rentals. Additionally, the city plans a phase-out of tourist apartment licences. By the end of 2028, Barcelona aims to recover more than 10,000 properties currently used for tourism. The goal is to return them to the residential market. This reinforces the message that housing is a right, not just an asset.
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