Andorran Social Democrats Demand Review of Affordable Housing Eligibility

Pere Baró, acting president of the Social Democratic parliamentary group and general councillor, has submitted an information request to the government seeking detailed data on whether affordable housing access criteria align with Andorran families' actual needs amid a tight rental market.

The move follows the allocation process for 44 apartments at Borda Nova I, where 36 were awarded in the initial round and the remaining eight await a second call. For the Social Democrats (GPS), the vacancies warrant examination not just of empty units but of broader access issues for those in need.

Baró noted that unfilled apartments do not automatically indicate a lack of demand. He called for figures on total registry entries for affordable housing applicants, those qualifying under current rules, submitted applications, and exclusion reasons.

The request also covers socioeconomic details of applicants, such as incomes, household composition, presence of minors, employment status, current living situations, and the share of income spent on rent. This data, the party argues, is essential to assess if rules effectively target those with the greatest barriers.

A key concern involves rental cost trends, particularly families currently below the 30% income threshold for housing expenses who may exceed it in 2027 due to rent adjustments. The GPS asks whether evaluations consider only present circumstances or projected changes, along with any projections from the government or National Housing Institute on public housing demand for 2027 and 2028, including rent increase effects.

The filing further probes whether public housing types match applicant family structures, requesting eligibility breakdowns by apartment category and instances where general criteria are met but units are unavailable due to size mismatches.

Social Democrats view public housing policy as more than construction—it must ensure supply, requirements, and allocation match population needs. They seek studies explaining Borda Nova I shortfalls, second-round plans, and potential access rule adjustments.

The party stressed distinguishing absent demand from unmet need due to restrictive criteria, warning that static assessments risk overlooking families whose situations will worsen. "No family should be excluded from public housing because administrative rules fail to capture their current or future reality," the GPS stated.