Reus and Tortosa leave the tense zone but warn that access to housing remains blocked
Reus and Tortosa have exited the residential tense zone declaration, but access to housing remains a serious problem. Rental prices keep rising, and many families cannot access affordable housing, according to warnings from local authorities and the Housing Union.
Meanwhile, Vila-seca and Vandellòs and l'Hospitalet de l'Infant celebrate their entry into the new list but call for speeding up urban planning procedures to boost the construction of protected housing.
The exit of Reus and Tortosa: What changes for the residents?
Why is it relevant that Reus and Tortosa leave the tense zone?
Leaving the tense zone means these municipalities lose the rent price cap, a measure that had tried to curb the uncontrolled rise in prices.
In Reus, this creates uncertainty because the lowest rents currently already exceed 670 euros, far above the initial cap of 576 euros. In Tortosa, despite leaving it, a market with strong demand remains, and regulation is expected to be applied if the situation worsens.
How does this affect residents’ daily lives?
Families in Reus see their frustration grow because the lack of affordable housing persists. Landlords, without restrictions, pressure for contracts without regulation, which could drive prices even higher.
In Tortosa, the exit was received with some calm, as the city has maintained social housing policies and is promoting new apartments, but the difficulty in finding affordable housing does not disappear.
The municipalities entering the tense zone: Vila-seca, Vandellòs, and l'Hospitalet de l'Infant
Why do Vila-seca and Vandellòs celebrate entering it and what do they demand?
Vila-seca is now the largest municipality entering the tense zone list. The mayor denounces that the situation has worsened and there is an almost total lack of rental housing.
The city councils demand the flexibilization of urban planning procedures, as they have been waiting for four years to build 300 apartments, 40% of which are officially protected, and the delay further complicates access to housing.
What specific difficulties does Vandellòs and l'Hospitalet de l'Infant face?
This municipality, with a strong tourist component, suffers speculation because many properties are aimed at short-term holiday rentals instead of permanent ones.
The mayor highlights that the declaration as a tense zone may help accelerate permits and facilitate the construction of protected housing on plots ceded by the town council itself.
Impacts and perspectives of the real estate market in the region
How do real estate agents interpret the changes in tense zones?
Real estate agents warn that constant regulatory changes cause legal uncertainty and discourage investment, which may reduce the supply of rental housing.
They also warn that the exit of municipalities such as Reus and Tortosa may lead to price increases, as landlords will try to recover possible future losses.
What assessment does the URV UNESCO Housing Chair make?
Professor Sergio Nasarre considers the balance of rent regulation negative, as it has not reduced prices but only moderated the increase. Municipalities outside the list have seen increases between 9 and 12%.
He forecasts that demand in liberalized municipalities will be "impressive" but warns that this may cause sharp rises and deterioration of properties due to lack of maintenance.
The situation becomes a roller coaster of market ups and downs, without stable solutions in the short term.
Particular cases: surprises and local demands
What happens with Salomó and other small villages?
Salomó has been included on the list without prior notice or consultation, which surprised the town council. With only 500 inhabitants, the village does not present serious problems or high prices, which casts doubt on applying general criteria to small villages.
The mayor has requested a meeting with the Generalitat to clarify the impact and understand whether this inclusion can be beneficial or not.
Which other municipalities in Camp de Tarragona are declared tense zones?
Besides Vila-seca and Vandellòs, Constantí, el Pla de Santa Maria, and l'Espluga de Francolí are also within the declaration.
In the Terres de l'Ebre, municipalities such as Camarles, Amposta, Roquetes, and Móra d'Ebre, among others, have been included, maintaining tension in much of the local markets.
The reality is that the lack of affordable housing affects many corners of the territory, with very diverse situations depending on the size and type of towns and cities.
The housing problem in the Tarragona region does not disappear with a simple administrative declaration. The complexity of regulation, speculation, and construction delays mean that many families continue to be unable to find a home at reasonable prices.
Therefore, it is evident that a closer look at the local reality is necessary, along with measures that not only regulate prices but also expand the housing stock and facilitate access for everyone.
Source of the article: Arnau Martínez / Anna Ferràs / Catalan News Agency
