Andorra Allocates 2 Protected Housing Units Amid 42 Applicants and Growing Waitlist

The Institut de l’Habitatge has launched the process to allocate two vacant protected housing units at Casa Aristot Mora in Andorra la Vella, drawing applications from 42 people amid a growing waiting list for social housing.

The building at Ciutat de Valls contains 20 protected flats, with two additional units reserved for emergencies under the Ministry of Social Affairs. Director Marta Alberch highlighted the backlog over the summer, noting that demand now far exceeds supply for properties targeting those with severe social challenges. The 42 applicants will undergo individual assessments based on established scoring criteria set by decree, prioritising individuals in serious social exclusion without homes.

Successful tenants must join a professional monitoring programme designed to build independence in daily living activities. Rents follow 2022 decree rates, originally ranging from €270 to €600 and adjusted for inflation via the IPC. However, payments—including services and utilities—are tailored to each recipient’s financial capacity, capped at 35% of their income or that of their household.

Alberch previously stressed that the waiting list reveals an unmet need in the public housing stock, a concern relayed to the government. Many applicants fall short of income thresholds for affordable rental options, underscoring the pressure on Andorra’s limited resources for vulnerable residents. Authorities have not yet announced a timeline for final allocations.