Just after its approval by an absolute majority at the last Municipal Plenum of the city of Barcelona, ​​an agreement was signed between the City Council of the capital and different social entities - among which, Sostre Cívic and many of the entities with which we are part of the Cooperative housing sector and in right of use from the XES– to promote and contribute to the extension of cooperative housing in the city. This agreement will improve the right to decent and affordable housing, and at the same time promote ESS and the Social Market by building more sustainable and communal housing models.

The agreement establishes the transfer by the City Council of plots of land and municipal buildings to be rehabilitated, and the mechanisms so that it ends up being housing cooperatives and social housing foundations that take the projects forward. At the outset, 15 lots and buildings will be sold, which will mean 419 flats, which will be gradually expanded until reaching a total of 1.000 homes. Of this total, 60% will be for affordable rent and 40% for co-housing. Some of these floors will host specific cooperative housing projects for the elderly, people with disabilities or vulnerable families.

The right to housing is a very broad struggle, and we know that these mechanisms are good news and a big step forward, but they are not enough to guarantee this right. Unfortunately, the public housing stock is totally insufficient, and that is why we think it is necessary to implement other public policies that help guarantee this right, which is systematically violated.

More information:

• XES: Agreement with Barcelona city council to promote cooperative housing
• Social.cat: Build side by side public housing in Barcelona
• City Hall of Barcelona: The City Council and the social and cooperative housing sector sign the agreement to expand the protected public park with 1.000 new flats