Andorra to Boost One-Bedroom Public Housing Amid Senior Demand Surge

Andorra's government will increase the share of one-bedroom units in its public affordable housing stock to better match applicant profiles, Housing Minister Conxita Marsol has confirmed.

Marsol, responsible for Presidency, Economy, Work and Housing, stated that the executive continuously refines its supply using data on population needs. She confirmed that "surely yes, we will add quite a few more one-bedroom units," noting low demand for two-bedroom flats and very few requests for three-bedroom ones. Most registrants seek one-bedroom options, a trend linked to recent regulatory changes that removed minimum income thresholds for seniors, potentially freeing up other units for the market. "We must continue along this line," she added.

Marsol cited Borda Nova I in Andorra la Vella, where 12 two-bedroom flats remain unallocated due to mismatches with applicant family profiles. The government plans to reopen applications, allowing suitable registrants to reapply.

The minister defended spreading public housing across parishes, despite the draw of central areas. She highlighted available units in Canillo and Ordino as "relatively close," aided by free public transport. This addresses concerns raised by Canillo's first consul, Jordi Alcobé, about filling remote properties. The executive will assess options but sees territorial distribution as beneficial.

The Andorra Housing Syndicate (SHA) has positively received the new temporary rental aid program, due to open in November, for immediately easing family burdens when housing costs consume disproportionate income. However, it warned that subsidizing excessive rents does not address root causes. "Helping to pay an excessive rent is not the same as acting so that this rent stops being excessive," the SHA stated, cautioning against permanent public funding for inaccessible private prices.

The syndicate also flagged the 15-year uninterrupted residency requirement, which excludes many, and urged tackling structural issues: expanding affordable public stock, enhancing contract stability, and regulating rents to align with residents' purchasing power. These aids should become unnecessary over time, it argued.