Spain

Special Rapporteur Miloon Kothari conducted a mission to Spain from November 20 to December 1, 2006. He noted with satisfaction that adequate housing is constitutionally recognized in the country and that positive steps had been taken by the central government and regional authorities to implement the right to housing.

However, the Rapporteur perceived that economic and financial factors, such as large scale real estate speculation, had negative impacts on the right to housing. High prices and lack of public housing, especially housing for rent, affected a significant portion of the population.

One of the most significant elements of Spanish housing policy, compared to other European Union countries, is the priority given over the last decades to the homeownership model through different instruments such as tax policy and public housing.

The Rapporteur believes that the functioning of the market, the current homeownership model and its possible negative impact on low-income housing options should be seriously reflected upon and requires State intervention in the market.

The Rapporteur also recommended the adoption of a nation-wide coordinated policy based on human rights for the protection of the most vulnerable, as well as creating sanctions against real estate speculation, corruption and discrimination in the real estate industry.

The Rapporteur called immediate attention to the housing rights of women, young people, elderly people, people with disability, gypsy communities and migrants. He also suggested the creation of new legal mechanisms to ensure the right to adequate housing.

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