Andorra Social Affairs Report: Rental Aid Drops 27% Amid Surging Housing Demands

The Department of Social Affairs published its 2025 annual report on Tuesday, revealing €4.38 million allocated to rental assistance for 1,847 beneficiaries—a 26.6% reduction from 2,517 in 2024. Government officials attributed the decrease to the return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules and around 100 families securing stable public affordable housing units, allowing them to exit the program. Including €910,000 for housing maintenance, overall housing support totaled €5.2 million.

Despite fewer rental aid recipients, housing pressures intensified. Primary social services handled 264 housing-related cases, up 35.4% from 195 the prior year, driven by rising rents forcing households into costlier leases. Single-person households led with 467 cases, followed by 160 single-parent families, accounting for 75% of clients. The department processed 1,175 files for 1,688 people—an increase of 5.1% in files and 3% in individuals—with cases averaging 2.79 issues each. Top concerns were economic hardship (592 cases), chronic illness or work incapacity (552), family conflicts, and rising issues like school absenteeism or learning difficulties (198 cases, up 37.5%). Staff expanded 28% to 18 professionals, managing 1,392 ongoing cases (up 9%), often tied to persistent economic and housing vulnerabilities. Director Joan Carles Villaverde highlighted housing as a key vulnerability factor, pointing to emergency resources like eight Ribasol flats, Armor building units, ARCA in Aixovall, and planned projects for 2027-2028 to prevent evictions among at-risk groups.

Immediate Attention Service cases dropped 10-13% to 35 files for 41 users, mainly seasonal workers without residency facing unemployment; aid included repatriation or up to 15 days of emergency support. The 24-hour Telephone Emergency Service logged 236 calls, a 16% rise, with 85% linked to gender or domestic violence.

Elderly and disability services saw sharp demand growth. Socio-health and day centers utilized 400 concerted spots at 73.7% capacity for nearly €6 million, up 20%. Home Care Service reached 167 users, including 96 new ones—a 68.5% jump—with waitlists eliminated via added staff, private partnerships, and extended hours; 42 users received average annual aid of €588. Solidarity pensions supported 1,474 over-65s at €10.07 million, up 9.4% in beneficiaries and 14.4% in spending. CONAVA recorded 2,134 people with over 33% impairment, up 9.8% with 191 new assessments; 359 gained direct CASS contributions (€1.44 million), alongside independence initiatives like "Vull emancipar-me" (8 youths), "Me’n vaig a casa meva" (21), and personal assistants (3). A new CONAVA regulation, focusing on capacities and autonomy—potentially including Alzheimer's services—is due by autumn 2026.

Occasional economic aids climbed 5.5% to €3.69 million for 2,981 awards across 728 households, despite 3.7% fewer applicants, averaging over €5,000 per household—highest for singles and single parents. Unemployment aid requests fell to 62, with 31 approvals for 30 households (down 53.1%), though average aid rose to €6,606; women over 60 claimed nearly one in five. Family allowances supported 585 families and 1,032 children at €2,236 average per family, despite fewer applications.

Early 2026 Statistics Department data indicates sustained needs. Quarterly solidarity benefits averaged 430 recipients at €1.51 million, up from 399, with women (238) outnumbering men (191). Andorrans led (243), followed by Spaniards (98), Portuguese (63), French (9), and others (17). Andorra la Vella held 38.9%, Escaldes-Engordany 21.4%, Sant Julià de Lòria 14.7%, and Encamp 13.6%. Over half (51%) were 46-65, with 17.4% aged 36-45 and 15.1% 26-35.

Elderly solidarity pensions averaged 1,493 beneficiaries at €2.56 million, two-thirds women (around 1,000) and 91.6% aged 65-85. Spaniards topped nationalities (740), ahead of Andorrans (372), Portuguese (189), French (49), and others (143). Andorra la Vella took 39.2%, Escaldes-Engordany 21%, Encamp 14.4%, and Sant Julià de Lòria 13.5%. Non-contributory government pensions reached 10 people—90.3% women, all over 98—at €10,173, mainly Andorrans (7) and Spaniards (3), with Andorra la Vella at 32.3%, Escaldes-Engordany and Sant Julià de Lòria at 19.4% each.

Minister Trini Marín, State Secretary Ester Cervós, and Villaverde presented the figures as evidence of an adaptive system addressing housing strains, social vulnerabilities, and evolving demands like elderly care and disability support.