Housing Inequality in Spain through the Lens of ReHousIn Research
A recent study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona for ReHousIn reveals that nearly four million households in Spain – around 20% – dedicate the majority of their income to housing expenses. The burden is particularly severe for renters, with 40% spending over 30% of their income on rent, exceeding the threshold considered excessive by international organizations. The impact is greatest in large cities like Barcelona and Madrid, especially among young adults, migrants, single-parent and large families, students, unemployed individuals, and retirees.
The report highlights how poor housing conditions – such as overcrowding, dampness, noise pollution, and lack of natural light – disproportionately affect low-income and migrant populations. It also emphasizes the growing problem of energy poverty, which affects about 28% of households, often due to inefficient housing infrastructure.
Financial vulnerability has been aggravated by rising interest rates, causing an increase in mortgage defaults to 3.4% in 2024, though recent interest rate reductions have helped slightly stabilise the situation. Access to energy subsidies remains limited, with more affluent households benefiting most due to greater access to information and resources.
The study also critiques the rapid growth of short-term and seasonal rentals, especially in urban centres, which have displaced long-term residents and intensified housing inequality. In response, the authors propose increasing the supply of public rental housing, reforming tax incentives to reduce speculation, and promoting energy-efficient renovations – though such measures must be designed to benefit tenants and not result in further rent increases.
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