Deputy Mayor Maria Eugènia Gay announced on Wednesday that Barcelona’s Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district will gain 200 new social housing units over the next three years, marking the largest housing investment in the district’s history. This significant expansion will add 73 units to the district’s current social housing stock, addressing a critical need for affordable accommodation in one of Barcelona’s most affluent areas.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Maria Eugènia Gay, who also serves as Councillor for Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, defended the City Council’s commitment to housing initiatives. “The opposition criticises us for doing nothing, but the data speaks for itself: in the first two years we invested 32.8 million,” Gay stated in an interview with La Vanguardia. She added, “During Trias’s term, in the first half of the mandate, it was 21.5 million.” These figures highlight the current administration’s increased financial commitment to housing projects, aiming to provide more accessible homes for Barcelona residents.
Boosting Affordable Homes in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
The City Council has outlined its strategic approach to expanding social housing, particularly in areas like Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. This district, home to approximately 149,000 residents, is known for its green spaces, high quality of life, and residential character. It often presents unique challenges for affordable housing development due to high land values. The new units aim to provide much-needed options for a diverse range of residents, including young people, families, and those requiring emergency accommodation, according to Barcelona Right to Housing Plan. This initiative directly responds to the growing demand for affordable living spaces across the city.
The council recently declined to acquire the land for the proposed Can Raventós development, where a private developer plans 59 homes. This decision came due to the high price, estimated between 18 and 20 million euros. Deputy Mayor Gay explained that such an expenditure would detract significantly from the overall goal of constructing social housing elsewhere in the city. Furthermore, the property owner demonstrated an unwillingness to negotiate with the local neighbourhood platform, according to Gay, despite community efforts to preserve green spaces.
Future Plans for Key District Properties
Another significant property in the district, Casa Buenos Aires in the Vallvidrera neighbourhood, also features in the council’s future plans. The Barcelona City Council had previously expropriated Casa Buenos Aires, but a court ruling later annulled this action, deeming the expropriation illegal. Officials are now actively negotiating the appropriate expropriation amount with the property owner. The ultimate goal is to convert Casa Buenos Aires into emergency and youth housing, providing vital support for vulnerable residents and addressing specific housing needs within the community.
These initiatives underscore the City Council’s ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing options across Barcelona. They particularly focus on districts with high demand and limited social housing availability, such as Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. The commitment to 200 new social homes reflects a broader strategy to enhance urban equity and provide accessible housing for all Barcelona residents, ensuring a more inclusive urban environment for its diverse population. The council continues to explore various avenues to increase the city’s social housing stock in the coming years.
Sign up for our new entrepreneurs community Bizcelona, now accepting our second wave of applicants.
Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
