Catalonia requests €330 million EU loan to build 4,500 affordable homes

Ulldecona, a town of about 7,000 residents in the Montsià area of southern Catalonia, has been identified as the cheapest place in the region to buy a house. According to a report by Idealista, the average price is €447 per square metre, roughly one‑fifth of the Catalan average of €2,500, and the town saw an 8% price decline over the past year. Its proximity to Tarragona, Barcelona and Valencia, as well as cultural and natural attractions such as UNESCO‑listed rock paintings and medieval architecture, make it a notable low‑cost housing option.

The Catalan government (Generalitat) has asked the European Investment Bank for a €330 million loan to finance the construction and renovation of 4,500 affordable rental units. The total project cost is estimated at €660 million, with the remaining half to be provided by public and private investors. The programme aims to increase the supply of energy‑efficient rental housing and is part of a broader target to reach 50,000 affordable homes in Catalonia by 2030.