Saturday's protest against the housing situation in Mallorca attracted fewer people than the demonstration in May last year. On that occasion, according to the organisers, there were 25,000 people. This year there were 12,000. The Spanish Government's delegation in the Balearics, which authorises protests, put Saturday's figure at 3,000; it reported 15,000 last May.
Carme Reynés, spokesperson for the Banc de Temps collective, one of the organising groups, accepts the number was down. She attributes this to people becoming demoralised. Far from the housing situation improving, it is getting worse. The housing emergency, she believes, is reaching unsustainable levels, and accessing housing, be this to rent or to buy, is becoming increasingly difficult.
Reynés says that Mallorcans are being expelled from the island, as they have no choice but to move to other regions of Spain to find a home. "More and more people are having to leave. Housing prices are unaffordable for workers." The middle class is being affected in a way that it hasn't previously been.
In her view, the Balearic Government's housing policy is not yielding results, and she is demanding the adoption of measures, which she believes could be more effective. One of these is the declaration of the Balearics as a stressed area, with the aim of limiting rental prices. (The government has rejected this.) Another is that homes cannot be purchased without having resided on the islands for at least five years.
But she is pessimistic that anything will be done and wonders who will be left in Mallorca in ten years' time.
9 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
John Lynch-CumminsTrue... I seem to remember some years (decades?) back ... protests about limiting "urban sprawl".. to maintain the island's tradition and character... leading to restrictions on urban expansion. Be careful what you wish for. Especially if you can't be bothered to think through it.
The economy in Majorca and in Minorca, ibiza has grown enormously in the 60 years that I have lived here. The number of jobs has increased but the planning authorities have restricted how many apartments could be built. Now this present government will make available more of the land ALREADY scheduled for development but it will not happen overnight.
David HollandThe 100% tax is all but dead. The orange Don is causing plenty of damage with or without it. The good news is that it may
I have real sympathy for the young in Majorca concerning housing costs, I’ve spoken to many about their difficulties with high cost and low earnings. But the Majorca authorities are the controllers of new builds, they can make a difference. As for penalties on “ foreigners “ it reported the orange Don is considering using tax code 891 to retaliate against foreign countries that discriminate against USA citizens. That’s the 100% properties tax in Spain seriously penalised
Just wait until Trump's economic crash hits everybody globally... The protests will have a very different tone. MESA (Make Everything Shit Again). Hail the Messiah... for making us appreciate how good we once had it.
Tourists are the innocent party in all this and the protestors know it. They come, they stay, they leave. They know nothing of the difficulties of locals' finding affordable housing. And the cash they spend helps nearly half the population to live and sustain their families. "Kill a tourist" was always idiotic and dangerous and right-minded protestors know this. Outlaw short stays in private accommodation and the problem will be greatly solved. Let's hope this message has been received by protestors - think, don't march.
Connect the rent of old apartments to the taxation value. Problem fixed since "we all know "...
Clearly even with 25,000 turning out this housing shortage is a crisis. But rather than blaming wealthy golden visa holders, and others has there been any sort of real analysis on key facts. - how many apartments are being built each year in areas that would typically house local residents? - how many people coming to Mallorca are from other parts of Spain and how many are coming from other parts of Europe. - and with the huge increase in tax revenue the Mallorca government has taken in should more be used for affordable rental housing vs debt repayment. - the government can also create a panel that looks at red tape reduction when it comes to developers building purposes built affordable rental housing. - the government can also look at providing financing to developers looking at building affordable housing units as long as they provide certain guarantees. Bottom line is there must be government led incentives and policy changes aimed at stimulating affordable rental housing stock.
Not doubting everything she says about the housing crises is true but could the reason for the poor turn out be that the anti tourist angle is not as popular as first thought?