Ex-Mayor Debunks Council's Claim of First Public Housing in 20 Years

A former mayor of La Seu d'Urgell has publicly challenged the current municipal government's claim that the city is reviving public housing construction after more than 20 years, calling the assertion "completely false."

The dispute arose late last November when the Socialist-led city council announced plans to develop public promotion housing in the Horta del Valira area. Officials described the initiative as a response to local families' struggles with housing availability and high prices, stating it marked the first such effort since before 2003.

In an opinion piece, ex-Mayor Albert Castells—whose tenure ended before the Socialists took power—rebutted the timeline. He highlighted two public housing buildings already standing in Horta del Valira, constructed between 2011 and 2014 amid the economic crisis. These projects, he said, were achieved through intense municipal effort despite challenging conditions.

The southern building, known as Horta del Valira, contains 45 homes for sale at regulated prices, targeted mainly at middle-income local families. The northern one, Setúria, includes 60 units, with 35 designated as affordable social rentals managed by the Fundació Nou Lloc. Together, they delivered over 100 new public housing units in the city during the 2010s.

Castells noted that plaques from the Generalitat de Catalunya and Spain's Ministry of Housing still mark the sites, confirming their public status.

He also pointed to earlier efforts under Mayor Jordi Ausàs: In 2006, Incasòl handed over keys to 21 officially protected homes in the Gallinaire sector. In December 2007, 22 of 24 protected units on Carrer Monturull—built by the Generalitat—were delivered. During that term, Castells, then youth councillor, helped launch the Borsa Jove d’Habitatge, a rental intermediation service for young people that proved effective in its early years.

Castells, who generally avoids commenting on current affairs to maintain an institutional stance, said he felt compelled to "defend the truth." He urged the council to tackle the city's challenges with rigor, institutional generosity, and respect for facts rather than partisanship.