The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, read an institutional declaration to assess the proposal for a European Affordable Housing Law presented by the European Commission. Collboni emphasized that the proposal sends a clear message: Europe understands that the housing crisis requires bold measures and acknowledges the duty of public authorities to intervene when the market fails to guarantee this basic right.
For Barcelona, this proposal culminates a period of work to place housing at the center of the European agenda. The mayor thanked the listening capacity of the commission's vice-president, Teresa Ribera, and the housing commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, who for nearly a year and a half have listened to the mayors of the “Mayors for Housing” network.
The European proposal supports the tools that Barcelona uses to defend the right to housing and the right to stay in the city. It reinforces the idea that apartments should be for living in and supports the decision to phase out tourist accommodation licenses in the city by 2028. It is anticipated that nearly 10,000 homes will be able to revert to residential use.
Europe recognizes the need for instruments to act in stressed market areas and that tourist accommodations reduce the availability for residents. Barcelona has experienced extraordinary real estate pressure, with rising prices and the displacement of young people and families. The city refuses to be resigned and has taken action, with the endorsement of the Constitutional Court for measures defending the general interest.
The European proposal incorporates three ideas actively defended by Barcelona: the concept of a stressed area, now recognized at the European level; the harm caused by tourist uses to residential supply; and the possibility of regulating other non-residential uses of land or housing when necessary. These measures reinforce the idea that apartments should be, above all, for living in.
Collboni rejected the notion of a confrontation between the economy and housing, advocating for a city model where apartments are homes, not financial assets, designed for people to live in. The goal is to guarantee the right to stay in Barcelona, ensuring the city's sustainability for those who make it possible.
The work done by Barcelona and other European cities in the “Mayors for Housing” network has yielded results, demonstrating they were not heading in the wrong direction. Europe recognizes the housing crisis and the need for greater public intervention capacity. The European proposal strengthens the framework for action against the impact of tourist apartments, and Barcelona's commitment remains intact: by 2028, tourist apartments will no longer have a place in the city.
The work continues with a second phase to consolidate the European proposal, maintain its ambition during the legislative process, and safeguard the capacity of governments and cities to act in the face of the housing crisis. Barcelona will continue working alongside other European cities to defend that housing is a right, apartments are for living in, and the right to stay in Barcelona is one of the city's most important causes.
