Barcelona speeds up and allocates land for 1,000 social housing units before 2026

Barcelona has taken a decisive step in its strategy to expand the protected-housing stock. The City Council has completed the transfer of plots to non-profit entities, which will make it possible to build more than 1,000 social homes before 2026, four years ahead of the initial target set for 2030.

Since 2020, the ESAL agreement has been a key tool for promoting this delegated development model. According to municipal data, 1,054 homes will have been built by 2026, 60% of them for rent. Mayor Jaume Collboni recently met participating entities to assess progress and coordinate the final phases of the plan.

At the meeting, the City Council and the entities reaffirmed their commitment to sign a new ESAL agreement in 2027, aiming to continue increasing the affordable-housing stock through projects run by social organisations. Key entities include GHS, XES, Habicoop and Cohabitac.

In addition, an amendment to the agreement was approved at the start of the year to increase financial assistance:

Previously, repayable subsidies covered between 9% and 16% of the cost.

They now reach 20% for developments and refurbishments of fewer than 15 homes.

In the case of refurbishing small buildings, they can reach 25%.

This update seeks to boost smaller-scale projects, especially in buildings requiring renewal but which are essential to increasing affordable supply in established neighbourhoods.