A new approach to protected housing
The Catalan Finance Institute (ICF) has announced an innovative strategy that promises to transform the landscape of social housing in Catalonia. Under the plan promoted by Salvador Illa, the ICF aims to finance the acquisition of housing portfolios belonging to large holders, provided that these properties are permanently designated as protected housing.
According to Antoni Vallès, business director of the ICF, this initiative will be carried out through market-priced loans, without the need for additional aid. Vallès highlighted that there are numerous large holders willing to sell their properties, which opens a unique opportunity to increase the stock of social housing in the region.
The ICF is already working on its first significant operation: the purchase of a portfolio consisting of 500 homes. This transaction will be carried out by a legal entity that must commit to converting the acquired properties into part of the stock of protected housing. This mechanism will not only facilitate access to public financing but will also allow for more social flats to be added to the market.
The Generalitat has been active in this area and recently announced the purchase of 127 homes belonging to InmoCaixa in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat for a total of 28.2 million euros. Additionally, there are plans to acquire another thousand similar homes. So far, more than 10,000 properties have been obtained through mechanisms such as pre-emption and retraction.
The Govern's strategy is clear: to reach 50,000 social homes by 2030, primarily intended for rent. To this end, the ICF has an annual line aimed at both public and private operators and offers favourable conditions for young buyers.
Taking advantage of the sessions organized by Cohabitac, Carme Trilla, president of the ICF, emphasized the urgent need to establish a legislative framework that regulates the activities of social housing providers. This proposal has recently been presented to Isabel Rodríguez, Minister of Housing, and is expected to be discussed in Congress soon.
With this series of initiatives and collaborations between public and private entities, Catalonia positions itself as a benchmark in inclusive and sustainable housing policies.
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