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Andorra Approves €7,166 Housing Grants for 11 Families Amid Surging Rental Crisis

Council rejects two applications as social cases rise 35% to 264 in 2025, fueled by high rents. Union claims 3,000 at recent protest demands reforms, while government defends progressive decontrol law.

Synthesized from:
El PeriòdicLa Veu LliureDiari d'Andorra+3

Key Points

  • Andorra council approves €7,166 housing grants for 11 families amid rental crisis, rejects 2 applications.
  • Social cases surge 35% to 264 in 2025, driven by high rents; rent aid totals €4.38M for 1,847 people.
  • Union claims 3,000 at housing protest demanding reforms; government defends progressive decontrol law.

Andorra la Vella council has approved €7,166.82 in housing grants for 11 families facing short-term needs in early 2026, while rejecting two of 13 applications that failed to meet requirements. The aid supported one rental deposit, two one-off payments, four overdue rent situations, and four cases requiring equipment, amid rising social pressures.

The Department of Social Affairs handled 264 cases in 2025, a 35.4% increase from 195 the previous year, with high rents cited as the main driver. Presenting the report this week, Minister Trini Marín, State Secretary Ester Cervós, and director Joan Carles Villaverde noted housing remains a persistent issue. Progress includes public rentals aiding around 70 people and enabling 100 families to exit subsidies, plus upcoming capacity such as 20 units at Armor, ARCA housing in Aixovall, and eight emergency spots at Ribasol. Rent assistance totaled €4.38 million for 1,847 people—down from prior years due to stricter rules and more public options—while €910,000 in maintenance lifted overall spending to €5.2 million. Officials expect limited demand growth post-decontrol, capped at 30% of income with enforcement penalties.

Tensions escalated after the May 16 protest by Sindicat d'Habitatge, which police estimated at 1,200 participants at peak—from KM0 roundabout to the government building—with drone analysis later confirming the figure. Initial police on-site counts reached 1,300-1,400, while union leader Gabriel Ubach cited 1,500-2,000. On Wednesday, the union presented DA and CC with a technical report using crowd density, route flow, and comparisons to events like the Illa Carlemany race, claiming nearly 3,000 at Prat de la Creu. The diverse turnout featured families with children, youth, workers, parents, retirees, and associations, signaling broad societal impact.

The union hailed the event as a "turning point" akin to the December 8, 2023 rally but with structured demands: curbing abusive rent hikes, safeguarding 2027-2030 contracts, closing fraud loopholes like the "child trick," barring evictions without viable alternatives, tying rents to actual wages, establishing a property registry and census, and rejecting housing as a speculative asset. In a statement, they rejected Head of Government Xavier Espot's view of "programmed expulsion" claims as exaggerated or polarizing, stressing the real anxiety stems from uncertainty over staying in the country in two years. They criticized the rental decontrol law—progressive from 2027-2030—as favoring speculation over dignified living, warning of growing mobilization without tenant safeguards.

Espot, speaking Sunday after the Esport per a Tothom race, welcomed the peaceful turnout as democratic vitality despite some sharp slogans. He defended the upcoming law, due for approval in coming weeks without major changes, as protective and balanced—neither full intervention nor total liberalization—with limits on change-of-tenant hikes. DA leader Jordi Jordana affirmed openness to talks but limited scope for shifts after broad consultations, emphasizing progressive decontrol.

Housing Minister Conxita Marsol reiterated compliance measures to avert steep rises, nullified pre-law notices, and projected 700-800 public units by term-end alongside private incentives. Opposition intensified: Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner called conditions "at the limit," with tenants sharing rooms, sleeping in cars or tents, and small owners selling due to rising community fees in aging buildings—blaming DA's Òmnibus laws for shrinking rental stock. Concòrdia's Cerni Escalé decried €550 million in 2025 foreign real estate investment against €35 million public housing as mismanagement, urging curbs on foreign deposits and growth. PS's Pere Baró predicted "social chaos" without 2027 revisions, pushing rent indexes and speculation limits. DA and CC noted opposition's past votes against vacant-home penalties, favoring public-private ties and buyer guarantees.

Authorities anticipate market easing via enforcement and supply growth.

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