The Basque Government Council has approved a 51 million euro credit increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Agenda. The aim is to strengthen three key action lines: ensuring coverage for the Economic Housing Benefit (PEV), advancing the expansion of public housing stock through acquisitions from Visesa, and completing the purchase of 57 homes from Kutxabank.
Specifically, 20 million euros will be allocated to cover housing economic benefits until the end of the year. Another 26 million will reinforce housing acquisitions made by Alokabide from Visesa. Furthermore, 5 million euros will be used to purchase 57 properties owned by Kutxabank, distributed across various municipalities in Euskadi. For this latter operation, the Department will contribute an additional 700,000 euros, bringing the total public investment to 5.7 million euros.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda, Denis Itxaso, explained that this expansion will allow for a strong start to the new term, simultaneously reinforcing protection for families needing help with rent and the growth of public housing. "The solution is not just about building new homes, but also about approaching existing stock and, where possible, acquiring it to convert it into public housing," he stated.
The minister emphasized that the Basque Government also wishes to continue "the path of purchasing," combining this approach with the promotion and construction of new homes. "It's not about choosing between building or buying; we need to use all available avenues to increase public supply," he said.
The 57 homes acquired from Kutxabank will be incorporated into the public housing stock. These properties are geographically dispersed, which will help expand the public housing presence, particularly in smaller municipalities. Of these, 10 are located in Bizkaia, 25 in Álava, and 22 in Gipuzkoa. The operation also contributes to extending public housing beyond major urban centers.
In addition to generating new supply through development projects, the Basque Government is identifying opportunities within the existing housing stock for public incorporation. This formula allows "us to approach already built housing and acquire it where there is an opportunity to incorporate it into the public stock," Itxaso highlighted.
The additional 26 million euros allocated for Alokabide's acquisitions from Visesa will enable continued progress in this strategy of growing the public stock. Acquiring existing homes allows for their incorporation into public housing without waiting for the timelines associated with new developments, and simultaneously expands the territorial reach of public housing.
Meanwhile, the other 20 million euros from the credit increase will ensure coverage for the Economic Housing Benefit (PEV) until the end of the year. This benefit serves as a protection tool for individuals and families in vulnerable economic situations who face difficulties in paying rent, helping to alleviate the pressure of housing costs.
Itxaso noted that this benefit represents a "social shield" for families. "We are talking about aid that allows families in vulnerable situations to cope with rental pressure. Strengthening it also means strengthening that social shield," he explained.
With this credit increase, the Basque Government is mobilizing an additional 51 million euros for housing policy, simultaneously reinforcing its two main action levers: protecting individuals and families needing support to access or maintain housing, and increasing the public rental supply.
