Móstoles rejects vacant housing census and launches participatory budget

The Móstoles City Council has rejected a proposal by the Podemos party to create a municipal census of vacant homes. The initiative aimed to identify unoccupied properties to study ways to integrate them into the affordable rental market. Proposed measures included potential property tax surcharges for vacant units, tax incentives for owners renting at limited rates, and a municipal mediation platform between landlords and tenants.

The proposal was defeated by votes from the PP and Vox, despite support from PSOE, Más Madrid, and the Mixed Group. Opponents, specifically the PP, questioned the economic, operational, and legal viability of the motion. This rejection occurs amid rising housing costs in the municipality, where average rental prices per square meter increased by 48% between 2020 and September.

Separately, the City Council has launched its 2026 Participatory Budget program. The initiative allocates 1.5 million euros to be distributed equally among the city's six districts, providing 250,000 euros per district. Residents aged 16 and older, as well as local entities, can propose projects to improve their neighborhoods and directly influence public investment decisions.