Andorra Housing Union Proposes Territorial Reorganization to Tackle Crisis

The Sindicat d’Habitatge d’Andorra (SHA) is proposing a reorganization into territorial sections across parishes to strengthen collective action and demand solutions to the housing crisis.

Internal sources indicate this setup would improve identification of local problems, increase pressure on institutions, and boost negotiation leverage. The initiative aims to advance ongoing efforts without altering core demands, making them more structured and prominent amid what the SHA terms a structural crisis. It follows recent mobilizations, notably the April 5 demonstration last year, which adopted a combative stance, elevated collective awareness, and opened doors for the SHA's involvement in Comissió Nacional d’Habitatge working sessions—where turnout mattered less than rising militancy.

The group has clarified that its recent formalization as a union stems from a political and organizational decision rooted in a collective process begun with its origins as the Coordinadora per l’Habitatge Digne. This step addresses no legal or administrative requirement but simplifies bureaucracy, such as opening bank accounts or accessing venues for events. The SHA stresses that a union's essence lies in its practice, not a legal label, with legitimacy drawn from grassroots organizing and struggle. It has long served as a valid institutional partner, engaging in meetings and active participation in bodies like the Comissió Nacional d’Habitatge, demonstrating representation of organized social realities.

The name change and union status explicitly embrace housing unionism—collective organizing to pinpoint structural issues, pressure authorities, and negotiate remedies—while core work persists in mobilization, institutional engagement, and exposing abuses. Addressing rumors, the SHA insists these changes signal no shift in direction or softening of demands for affordable rentals. Families still face mounting barriers to decent housing despite announcements and debates, with no sufficient structural fixes in place. The territorial model seeks to sustain mobilization and dialogue until effective measures ensure accessible housing prices for most residents.

Complaints have evolved from isolated abusive practices to widespread struggles securing affordable units, a pattern the SHA deems increasingly common. This aligns with alerts from the GosSOS association, where director Jesús Cardesín tied pet bans in rental contracts to surges in elderly dog abandonments, illustrating broader social impacts.

Priorities include effectively curbing speculation—ultimately ending it—and advancing the SHA's stance on the proposed Property Register Law.