Escaldes Mayor Slams Slow Affordable Housing at Pessebre 60

Rosa Gili, the cònsol major of Escaldes-Engordany, expressed frustration on Wednesday over the slow progress of affordable rental housing construction at number 60 Avinguda del Pessebre, a project her parish initially promoted but now largely managed by the government.

Gili highlighted that architects had estimated 16 months for completion after the project launched in 2022, yet years have passed without delivery. She noted high demand for the central location and urged the executive to apply more pressure amid reported issues, adding that her council completed its share while the government's phase two—approved last October for €7.42 million—lags. "Housing concerns us greatly," she said, recalling early council measures to support it and announcing a forthcoming "shock plan" on the issue.

The government swiftly rebutted her claims. Spokesperson Minister Guillem Casal, speaking after the Council of Ministers, stated the works remain on track, with an 18-month deadline for the latest phase ending in January 2027. "Nothing indicates any delay," he said, calling Gili's remarks regrettable for a jointly developed initiative. Casal countered that if housing worries her so much, Escaldes should input necessary data into the SICAR rental contracts system, emphasising shared responsibilities across institutions.

The exchange follows Tuesday's cònsols meeting in La Massana, where Housing Minister Conxita Marsol outlined a draft incentives law offering private landowners a 10% construction subsidy, tax exemptions, and eased requirements for affordable rentals. Gili clarified no commitments were made, describing the session as informational only. Escaldes, like others, awaits the full text within 10 days to assess overlaps with local aid and financial impacts before deciding.

Gili also addressed calls from Head of Government Xavier Espot for opposition-led parishes to host the National Museum, noting limited space in her compact parish but deferring to the executive without a formal request. Casal reiterated collaborative intent on incentives and called for Logtu law revisions to clarify communal land development, avoiding urban risks.