Barcelona City Council has urged the Catalan Government to secure state funding for pre-emptive property purchases. This initiative aims to expand the city's public housing stock, particularly in the Gràcia and Eixample districts. The move seeks to combat the ongoing housing crisis and prevent gentrification.
Deputy Mayor for Economy, Jordi Valls, stated that state funds would boost the acquisition of vertically owned properties. He also suggested exploring partnerships with social entities if needed. This approach aligns with the ordinance approved last December, which saw implementation with Casa Orsola. Valls argued that these public fund purchases are "the only way to increase the protected housing stock" in areas where residential land is already established. This strategy ensures "the right of residents to stay in their neighbourhood and avoid gentrification."
The Socialist Party (PSC) proposed the measure, which passed with Mayor Jaume Collboni's casting vote. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) voted in favour, while Junts abstained. Other parties voted against the proposition. The Ajuntament highlighted Barcelona's leadership role in finding solutions to the housing access crisis. It also noted that fiscal rules on debt and spending limit the administration's purchasing capacity.
Expanding Public Housing Stock
Barcelona aims to use all available tools to address its housing crisis. These tools range from rental price caps and tourist flat prohibitions to increasing housing production. Pre-emptive and redemption rights, known as tanteo y retracto, form a critical part of this strategy. This legal mechanism allows public administrations to purchase properties when they are put up for sale or after a sale to a third party. The city can acquire them at market price, ensuring they become part of the public housing network.
Thousands of homes across Barcelona belong to vertical ownership structures. These properties face a risk of acquisition by investment funds. The City Council estimates it needs to make around 1,700 such purchases from legal entities or vertical properties. Deputy Mayor Valls acknowledged that acquiring all of them solely by the Ajuntament is "materially unfeasible." This shows the need for state financial support.
Recent Acquisitions and Future Plans
In 2025, the City Council allocated approximately 20 million euros for pre-emptive and redemption right purchases. This funding, part of an agreement with ERC, led to the acquisition of 96 homes for 21 million euros. Additionally, the city acquired five plots of land, where officials project 119 new homes. Another 22 million euros went towards municipal dependencies on Via Laietana. This operation frees up space for protected housing. In total, these 25 operations involved 49 million euros and generated 300 social flats.
The Catalan Government also made significant contributions. In coordination with the Barcelona City Council, it acquired 321 homes. These purchases included properties from Inmocaixa and Clínic, among others. For 2026, the city's budget includes another 20 million euro allocation for pre-emptive and redemption right purchases.
New Protected Homes in Eixample
This week, the Government Commission approved exercising pre-emptive and redemption rights on a building at Carrer Diputació, 161. This property is located in the Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample neighbourhood. The acquisition cost 4.6 million euros, which is 20% below the market price. This operation will add 14 protected homes to the public stock. Currently, 13 of these apartments are empty. The remaining apartment houses a person with an old-rent contract. This specific purchase highlights the city's ongoing efforts to secure affordable housing.
Barcelona remains committed to using every tool available to tackle the housing crisis. The city will continue to push for greater collaboration with the Catalan and Spanish governments. Securing additional state funds is critical for expanding the public housing stock. This ongoing effort aims to ensure residents can afford to live in their neighbourhoods and prevent further gentrification.
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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.
