Barcelona Proposes Restrictions on Renting Short-Term Accommodations
Struggle, Overcrowding, Housing Scarcity: The surge of tourism in various Spanish cities, including Barcelona, is causing numerous issues. In response to a series of protests, Barcelona has initiated a plan: Any vacation rental licenses beyond 2029 won't be renewed. This move is expected to ease the housing situation.
In an attempt to combat escalating housing shortage, Barcelona seeks to eliminate rental properties meant for tourists within the city by the close of 2028. As Mayor Jaume Collboni explained, these properties would then be repurposed for the use of Barcelona's residents. "After 2029, you won't find vacation rentals in Barcelona like today," Collboni stated. This would free up around 10,000 housing units, he added, equivalent to "constructing 10,000 new homes."
Collboni acknowledged that rental and property prices in Barcelona have jumped by nearly 70% and about 40% respectively in the past ten years. The city council is compelled to take severe actions to guarantee affordable housing options. No renewal of the current licenses will be granted once they expire.
"We can't let most young people wishing to move out of their parents' home to be pushed out of Barcelona," stated the socialist politician. This measure won't resolve the housing crisis immediately. "These challenges need time. But with this step, we're making a significant shift," Collboni emphasized.
Dissatisfaction due to mass tourism is escalating quickly across Spain. In popular tourist spots such as Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canaries, larger protests have been held recently. The increment in visitors is linked to the scarcity of affordable housing as well as environmental damage, traffic congestion, overpopulation, price hikes, water conservation problems, pressure on the healthcare sector, waste disposal, and pollution.
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Following the city's proposal, residents of Majorca, also experiencing housing scarcity due to tourism, are advocating for similar measures.
The protests against the impacts of tourism on local communities have extended to the Canary Islands, with residents calling for more affordable housing options and environmental protection.
Barcelona's decision to restrict short-term rentals has inspired a discussion about the balance between tourism and resident needs in other Spanish cities, such as Madrid and Valencia.
