Else Beekman
For the second consecutive day, dozens of people have remained camped outside Valencia’s City Hall, protesting for the right to affordable housing. The protest began spontaneously on Saturday. This followed a larger demonstration organised by the movement València no està en venda (Valencia is not for sale).
Here, thousands of people gathered in the city to demand action on housing issues. A group of protesters set up around 30 tents in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, calling for stronger regulations on rental prices and an end to evictions. One of the protesters, Marta, highlighted their concerns, stating, “We want rent regulation and a halt to evictions. Currently, 30% of the houses being bought are with foreign capital, and political will is needed to address this.”
The protest, which has not been authorised by local authorities, emerged as an extension of the Saturday demonstration. Thereafter, participants determined to continue their demands for housing reform. They are also calling for an open assembly on Monday to decide the next steps for the protest.
Criticism of government measures
Protesters have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s current housing policies. Marta criticised recent government actions, labelling them as “patches” that do not address the root of the housing crisis. “Not everyone can apply for rental aid because not everyone has rental contracts,” she explained, adding that the measures have only led to further increases in housing prices.
Irene, another protester, voiced concerns about the growing issue of touristification, particularly in neighbourhoods that are severely impacted. She argued that the influx of tourism has caused not only housing difficulties but also problems related to noise and mental health.
Saturday’s demonstration draws thousands
The ongoing camp-out follows a demonstration on Saturday, which saw approximately 15,000 people march through the streets of Valencia. Protesters demanded the creation of more social housing, a halt to the sale of residential properties to foreign investors, and a ban on short-term tourist rentals.
Significant rise
In recent years, the price of housing in Valencia has seen a significant rise. A recent report shows that the average price per square metre in the city stands at €2,508 for flats and €2,079 for houses. This increase reflects a broader trend across the Valencian Community, where property prices have risen by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
In terms of rental prices, the situation has also escalated significantly. In 2014, the average rent per square metre was approximately €353. By 2019, this had increased to €528, and in 2024, the average rent per square metre has surged to €858. This represents a substantial increase, with tenants now paying nearly double for the same property compared to a decade ago.
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