The Palamós City Council has seen the completion of the 'Terra de Mar' social housing cooperative project, featuring 34 apartments under a use cession scheme. The initiative, which began development in 2019, received a decisive boost in November 2020 with the municipal council's approval to grant surface rights on a municipal plot for 75 years. This agreement allowed the cooperative Sostre Cívic to build and manage the building, keeping the land within public ownership.
The cooperative housing model in use cession, introduced in Palamós, differs from the traditional purchase or rental system. Residents become members of the cooperative, make a refundable initial contribution, and pay a periodic fee, obtaining a stable right of use without future speculative potential. The fact that the land remains municipal reinforces the long-term social purpose.
Following various phases of study, preliminary project presentations, and architectural design by UMMA arquitectes, construction began in late 2023. The final project, named 'Terra de Mar', includes communal spaces and energy efficiency measures, with priority reservations for vulnerable groups such as young people, single-parent families, and the elderly.
The development, which became operational in July 2026, materializes the goal of offering affordable and stable housing, keeping it out of the speculative market. The combination of municipal surface rights with cooperative management has made this pioneering model in the Empordà region a reality.
