Spain is investing €1.3 billion in industrialized construction to solve its social housing crisis. Furthermore, the government plans to build 15,000 homes annually using industrial methods, reducing construction times by up to 60% and costs by 25%.
In an effort to address the growing shortage of social housing, the Spanish government has announced an investment of approximately €1.3 billion from European funds over the next ten years. This initiative is part of the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) for Industrialized Housing, which aims to modernize the construction sector and accelerate the construction of affordable housing using industrial methods.
PERTE aims to build an average of 15,000 industrialized homes per year, with the goal of reaching 20,000 per year within a decade. These industrial methods would reduce construction times by up to 60% and costs by 25% compared to traditional methods.
Industrialized construction involves the use of prefabricated components in factories, which are then assembled on-site. This approach allows for greater precision in processes, reduced waste, and a lower environmental impact. It also facilitates standardization and improves the energy efficiency of homes.
Currently, only 5% of homes in Spain are built using industrial methods, while in countries like Germany this figure reaches 20%. This disparity highlights the opportunity for growth and modernization that the adoption of industrialized construction represents in Spain.
As part of PERTE, the Construction Industrialization City will be established in the Logistics Activities Zone of the Port of Valencia. This center will serve as a hub for research, training, and development of technologies applied to industrialized construction.
Social Housing in Spain: Current Situation
Social housing in Spain represents only 3% of total housing stock, well below the European average of 9%. This deficit has generated a growing demand for affordable housing solutions, especially in urban areas with high population pressure.
In addition to industrialized construction, the government is implementing other measures to increase the supply of social housing. These include:
- Rent Controls: Setting limits on rental prices to prevent speculation and ensure affordability.
- Limiting Tourist Rentals: Regulating short-term rentals to free up housing for permanent residents.
- Promoting Social Housing Construction: Incentives and support for the construction of housing for vulnerable groups.
It is estimated that the implementation of PERTE will generate an economic impact multiplying 2.4 times the initial investment, contributing to economic growth and job creation in the construction sector.