The municipal government has embarked on its second phase of securing homes from financial entities. The move involves 255 flats which will be made available via agreements to cede their use, the right of first refusal and direct acquisition. Since the municipal government took office, 455 flats have been added to the public rented housing pool.

Agreements have been reached for usage rights for 50 flats for a period of eight years and the purchase of 131 homes at prices under market value. City Council has exercised its right to first refusal to secure a further 28 flats, with the same procedure being considered to secure 46 more homes. The bulk of the homes are located in city neighbourhoods where the housing emergency is more pressing. The Mayor, Ada Colau, presented the new moves explaining: “The full potential of the law will be applied to guarantee the right to housing in the city”.

City Council has drafted a plan to tackle the irregular situations of families already living in homes which have been ceded or purchased from financial entities. The situation of tenants in financially vulnerable situations who have been living in the property for more than two years will be regularised ordinarily. In cases where tenants have been in the property for less than two years, other criteria will be taken into consideration such as links with the neighbourhood, schooling of children and reports from social services. Sitting tenants will be regularised provided they have not generated any conflicts with the community of residents.

A study has also been conducted on the evolution of rent prices for housing on the open market, showing an increase in prices, particularly in areas where there is more tourism. During the first nine months of 2015 Barcelona saw rent prices rise by 6.6% compared to the year before. The study shows that although prices vary by district, they do not correspond to the level of income in each zone. In the neighbourhoods with lowest incomes the financial effort required to pay the rent is greater.

Colau warned of the danger of a new housing boom due to the rise in rent prices: “An obligation for all public administration is that we do everything possible to avoid speculation with an asset of prime necessity such as housing”. The Mayor also noted: “The Generalitat and the state are not doing their homework. Housing prices are going up”, adding: “We’re calling for action and for us to learn from experiences such as that of Germany, where the state makes it possible to cap rent prices”.