Spanish municipalities launch public‑housing registries and vacant‑home detection programs

The Ronda City Council’s housing department has opened a public‑housing demand register that has attracted more than 550 applications since its launch in March. Councilor for Housing Cristina Durán said the register helps organise demand and facilitates participation in public‑housing purchase processes. The council also reports that rental‑subsidy applications amounting to about €256,000 have been processed, covering full-year rent for vulnerable families, and that 13 vacant social homes owned by the Andalusian Housing Agency (AVRA) are being reassigned.

In the neighbouring region of Navarra, the Department of Housing, Youth and Migration Policies has begun a campaign to identify 115 empty dwellings owned by legal entities that appear uninhabited. Using a new data‑analysis tool that cross‑references water and electricity consumption with cadastral records, the department is sending owners a ten‑day notice to justify occupancy. Unverified properties will be declared vacant, entered into a regional vacant‑home register and subject to a vacant‑home tax.

Both initiatives aim to improve housing availability and address vacant‑property issues across Spain.