The Spanish Government’s draft Housing Plan for 2026–2030 has run into political headwinds, with opposition parties and even coalition partners rejecting it as inadequate, overreaching, or unrealistic.
Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez presented the new five-year plan to Congress this week, outlining €7 billion in investment to boost housing construction, 60% of it funded by the State and the rest by the regions. But despite the scale of the proposal, the Minister failed to achieve the consensus she was hoping for.
The plan, which does not require parliamentary approval as it will be implemented by royal decree, has already been circulated among regional governments for consultation. Still, Rodríguez faced widespread criticism from all sides of the political spectrum.
Left-wing allies say the plan lacks ambition
Hard-left Sumar’s Gerardo Pisarello described the proposal as “insufficient”, arguing that it lacks the “audacity and urgency” required to tackle Spain’s housing crisis. He noted that the annual budget amounts to just €840 million—“far less than what is being spent on defence”—and called for tougher measures against housing speculation.
Hard-left Catalan nationalist party ERC’s Etna Estrems accused the government of “duplicating structures” and invading regional powers, while the PNV’s Maribel Vaquero demanded a “collaborative governance model” involving all levels of administration.
Junts and Podemos accuse Sánchez of empty promises
Catalan separatist party Junts’ Marta Madrenas said the plan’s goals were “sound in theory” but reminded the government that “the challenge isn’t making announcements—it’s keeping them”. She cited what she called “astronomical promises” of new homes from both Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Catalan Socialist leader Salvador Illa that “will never be delivered”.
Far-left Podemos’ Javier Sánchez Serna echoed the criticism, calling the government’s approach a “string of announcements designed to look like progress”. He challenged the Minister to specify how many of the 200,000 affordable homes promised by Sánchez have actually been built.
Opposition parties slam government housing policy
The centre-right PP’s housing spokesman, Sergio Sayas, described the government’s housing policies as “cardboard cut-outs and raffle prizes”, claiming the Housing Law has driven 120,000 homes off the rental market. Far-right Vox’s Carlos Hernández Quero said the government was “stuck in a Groundhog Day of failed promises”, arguing that since the Zapatero era the Socialists “owe Spain two million homes”.
Only the centre-left PSOE’s own Ignasi Conesa offered full support, praising the ministry’s “enormous effort” and noting that Spain’s public housing stock has grown from 2.2% to 3.5% in recent years.
