Real estate agents in the Balearic Islands are calling for a cross-party consensus to address the current housing crisis. They emphasize the need for joint measures to stabilize the housing market and ensure affordable housing for the population.

The housing situation in the Balearic Islands is critical. Real estate agents are calling for a political consensus to address the housing shortage and high housing costs. The lack of social housing and low wages are exacerbating the problem. Government intervention is crucial to prevent a larger economic crisis.

Balearic Context: Dialogue on Housing Policy

The President of the Official Association of Real Estate Agents of the Balearic Islands, José Luis Artieda, has called on political forces to achieve broad consensus to implement the necessary measures to address the housing crisis. Artieda emphasized that housing should be considered the "fifth pillar of social prosperity" and that solutions are therefore urgently needed.

"A common framework must be created with the consensus of all political parties. Otherwise, we won't achieve anything. Currently, we can only do patchwork. Without a long-term strategy, the problem will not be solved," said the president of the real estate agents.

Housing as a Basic Need

Artieda called for a change in the view of housing, away from a speculative market commodity to a basic need. He highlighted the insufficient number of apartments to accommodate all residents of the Balearic Islands, the high prices per square meter, the low wages compared to the national average, the influence of foreign buyers on the market, and the unsuitability of real estate for today's lifestyles.

"The market must adapt to the needs of different population groups: young people, single parents... This is the right way," he emphasized.

Lack of social housing and economic consequences

Artieda also lamented the lack of social housing, which he believed has been neglected. José Luis García, Secretary General of the CCOO in the Balearic Islands, predicted that the next economic crisis on the islands could be triggered by the housing problem.

"With current housing prices, we can neither grow economically nor maintain the economic activity of our production model. Without state intervention, we will have to bear the consequences, and we are already doing so," García said.

Youth Perspective and Evictions

The President of the Balearic Youth Council, Pau Emili Muñoz, shared the youth's perspective on the housing crisis and is convinced that they will be the first generation since the civil war to live worse than their parents.

"We can't choose whether we want to have children or not, have a home or not, be independent or not, leave an insecure job to find a better one... We have to take what we can get because the situation is so dire that we either work precariously or don't work at all," said Muñoz.

The lawyer for the Platform for Those Affected by Mortgages, Gloria Olmos, highlighted the difficulties middle-class families face in renewing their leases. She explained that unaffordable rents are leading to evictions, even though tenants continue to pay.

Need for government intervention and political will

Olmos called on the government to use all available mechanisms to counter the crisis, as she believes there is a lack of political will. She emphasized the "social function" of housing.

"Workers need to live somewhere. Otherwise, chambermaids can't work in hotels, and the hotels can't function. Flight attendants, doctors, and teachers also need to be able to live here," she concluded.