Does Barcelona have a solution for its housing crisis?

DW (English)

Tourists in the center of Barcelona have driven up housing prices. A council initiative to ban tourist apartments in the city center hopes to combat this.

Transcript

00:00Alifia Conajero is protesting for affordable housing in Barcelona.

00:07Rents in her hometown have increased by about 70% over the last 10 years,

00:12according to the city council.

00:14The nationwide housing crisis is driving tens of thousands of protesters onto Spanish streets,

00:19especially in the country's tourist strongholds.

00:22Vacation rentals make me so mad.

00:26Because of them, we locals can't rent those homes anymore.

00:29The pensioner is worried about Barcelona.

00:33She says young people can no longer build a future here.

00:36Barcelona residents have long shared their city with people from all over the world.

00:41Millions of tourists visit every year.

00:44And the city is also popular with expats who stay here.

00:47Now housing is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive,

00:50and residents are being driven out of their neighbourhoods.

00:53The problem disproportionately affects low-income households.

01:00That's why the city has constructed 54 such apartments out of recycled shipping containers,

01:06to temporarily house people like Nadia while they look for a place.

01:10In my old apartment, they refused to renew the lease.

01:15It wasn't because of outstanding rent or anything like that.

01:19The building was being bought by investors, vulture funds, to turn it into tourist accommodations.

01:25Our home. My children lived in there. They went to school nearby.

01:29Nadia Chaibi Kaduri and her two children have been living here for two years.

01:35At least they've got a roof over their heads.

01:38Nadia works in translation.

01:40But as a single mother, with a single income,

01:43she says she has no chance of finding a regular apartment here.

01:47I work with people from many different countries.

01:52And the kind of prices they can pay make them extremely lucrative for landlords.

02:00So they wouldn't rent out their apartment to someone like me and my children for a thousand euros a month,

02:05when a tourist can pay, let's say, three thousand euros.

02:10So that's what they do.

02:13I'll tell you, three thousand euros is very safe.

02:17For years, Barcelona has been unable to get a grip on the housing crisis.

02:21The tourist industry, meanwhile, is booming.

02:26That's why the city council has decided on a radical step.

02:31Deputy Mayor Laia Bonnet is proud that Barcelona has issued an ultimatum.

02:37Noviembre del 2028.

02:40November 2028.

02:41From this date forward, holiday apartments would require a new licence.

02:46But we are saying Barcelona won't be issuing any.

02:50This will make an estimated 10,000 apartments available again.

02:56Paula Ginestar rents an apartment to tourists.

03:00Come in.

03:01Welcome.

03:02Paula is against the ultimatum.

03:03For her and her partner, the apartment is a means of additional financial security.

03:16What they're doing is abuse.

03:18We're practically being expropriated.

03:20Under this plan, Paula will lose her licence to rent the apartment.

03:25She thinks that's unfair.

03:27And that the city should distinguish between private landlords and large companies with hundreds of apartments.

03:33But she agrees something needs to be done.

03:35Rental prices are out of control here in Barcelona and in Madrid.

03:42But it's also starting in Valencia.

03:44It's crazy.

03:45But I really don't think the holiday rentals are to blame.

03:48Next door, at the laundrette, the owner agrees.

03:53Cleaning tourists' bed linens and towels is good business for Yadisa Duya Yamani here, in Barcelona's popular Poble Sec district.

04:00She would miss the work.

04:03They want everything done in 24 hours.

04:06That's what's good about it.

04:08That everything needs to be done in 24 hours, or in an hour.

04:12Then I charge double, or even triple.

04:15So it's good money.

04:20Tourism is a business, but with side effects.

04:25Barcelona's Poble Nu district is about 20 minutes' drive from the centre.

04:30Once home to blue-collar workers and fishermen, it's now a lucrative area, and they are being driven out.

04:36With an average monthly salary of under 2,000 euros, many can no longer afford to rent their homes.

04:42That's why Alicia Conejero supports the 2028 ultimatum.

04:47Renting an apartment like this is impossible for someone on a Spanish salary.

04:52Also, the apartments are not rented out long-term.

04:55They're rented out seasonally, for 11 months.

04:59So after 11 months, they can increase the rent again, or kick you out.

05:05Alicia got lucky.

05:07She lives in one of three Sostra Civic Housing Co-operative buildings.

05:11The co-operative is financed by members and project funds.

05:19It offers members a lifelong right to residence, without rent increases.

05:24Alicia pays around 600 euros for her small apartment.

05:27More residential buildings are reportedly planned to tackle the crisis.

05:31In three years, four babies were born here.

05:35That makes sense.

05:36Young residents can plan their lives here.

05:39They know they won't be thrown out.

05:41They can live, and above all, they can afford the rent here.

05:45Alicia hopes that Barcelona will remain a home for those who live here.

05:53Of course, tourists are still welcome, but the city is fighting to strike a balance.

05:59Thanks...

06:00Advocating.

06:01…

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