Housing must take center stage in public policy, and addressing the current crisis requires a combination of measures tailored to the profiles of those seeking homes. This was a key conclusion of the 2nd International Conference titled “The Housing Crisis: Public Policies to Tackle a Chronic Problem,” organized by the Institute for the Study and Development of Galicia (IDEGA) in collaboration with the Economic and Social Council of Galicia (CES).
Held at the Pazo de Amarante, the gathering brought together government representatives, experts, and social organizations to analyze the economic, social, and territorial dimensions of Galicia’s housing problem. Throughout the event, speakers pointed out that territorial urban planning is often devised without regard for the region’s social, cultural, and demographic realities; plans fail to account for future population trends—such as aging, demographic fluctuations, and shifting household models.
In this vein, the disconnect between urban planning and actual market dynamics was criticized. “It is absurd to plan for the simultaneous construction of 10,000 housing units that will be occupied over an eight-year period, only for them to age—and deteriorate—in unison thirty years later. Current planning has consistently failed by setting goals that are out of touch with the needs of the majority of the population,” explained María José Piñeira, a geographer and housing expert at IDEGA.
Another conclusion reached was that the difficulty of accessing housing is not solely a matter of purchasing power; it is also linked to situations of structural social exclusion, such as those affecting individuals relying on minimum income schemes like RISGA or non-contributory pensions. “For instance, in the Basque Country, public subsidies for community-led self-development housing are allocated on a progressive basis according to each individual’s income level. This system represents a socially fairer and more equitable approach,” Piñeira noted. This point was accompanied by a condemnation of the stigma, housing-related racism, and hate speech that vulnerable individuals face when searching for a home.
Furthermore, the speakers agreed on the critical importance of gaining a deep understanding of the profile of housing applicants and having access to data to better guide public policy. The same applies to the lack of reliable data regarding the number of vacant homes. In this context, local authorities were deemed best suited to conduct these counts, given the observed “discrepancy” between census figures and reality. “Municipalities could certainly carry out this data collection to provide us with more reliable figures. You cannot make policy without data,” Piñeira pointed out. It was also highlighted that, although authorities make efforts to launch initiatives, these often fail to reach the public, resulting in a lack of awareness about them.
The discussion also addressed the advisability of developing measures to bring vacant homes onto the rental market and to rehabilitate—and subsequently offer—properties currently in poor condition. Proposals included having public authorities act as intermediaries and creating public portals to showcase available housing and facilitate access to it.
Against this backdrop, the speakers advocated for a model of proximity-based urban planning centered on vibrant, cohesive neighborhoods, as well as the need for regulation and planning to prevent urban segregation and the formation of ghettos. In this regard, the consensus favored moving away from general urban plans—which can take up to 20 years to process—in favor of more agile, targeted amendments. Finally, it was argued that property rights cannot absolutely prevail over fundamental rights—specifically citing the right to accessibility and pointing to the installation of elevators in older buildings as an example—while also warning that neighborhoods built in the 1970s lacking elevators risk falling into urban decay and abandonment.
The 2nd International Conference organized by IDEGA in collaboration with the CES is part of the activities carried out under the research project “(Re)thinking cities and urban form: new policies to revitalize everyday cities in line with the Urban Agenda (RENEWPOLI).”
