The Tolosa City Council has reviewed the first year of its 2025-2027 Housing Plan, highlighting the results of its work on four strategic axes: promoting affordable rental housing, rehabilitating the existing building stock, strengthening the rental assistance and benefits system, and improving governance and institutional coordination.
The municipal government has emphasized housing as a political priority and stated that it is translating commitments into concrete actions. The plan aims to guarantee decent, adequate, and affordable housing, especially for young people and citizens in vulnerable situations. In this regard, last February Tolosa was declared a tense residential market area, and construction has begun on 192 social housing units in the former Amaroz paper factory, which will be allocated for rent.
Furthermore, the council is working to promote another 104 social housing units for rent and is developing a project for 15 intergenerational homes in Iurramendi. The plan also aims to rehabilitate the current housing stock and bring vacant properties onto the rental market. To this end, fiscal measures have been strengthened, establishing a 95% bonus for areas such as the Old Town, Euskal Herria Square, and Santa Clara. The council is adapting the ordinance to facilitate the conversion of commercial premises into housing, and a project is underway to create endowed housing for young people in the building at San Francisco 37.
Aid for citizens has also been enhanced. In 2025, 21 young people received emancipation grants, totaling €64,174.40. The new municipal rental ordinance has broadened the beneficiary profile and increased the amount of aid, particularly for the Old Town, Euskal Herria Square, and Santa Clara areas. Additionally, subsidies for adaptation works in homes affiliated with the Bizigune program have been renewed, increasing the grant amounts.
Marketing vacant properties is another important line of work. The Council offers direct support and advice to Tolosa residents, providing information on all available options. To expand the public rental stock, the municipal government is in contact with co-owners of several buildings in the Old Town to explore different possibilities and is working to promote private development initiatives. Regarding fiscal measures, the surcharge on the property tax (IBI) for vacant homes will increase to 150% from 2027, while homes affiliated with the Bizigune program will receive a 95% IBI bonus.
Andu Martinez de Rituerto, the mayor of Tolosa, emphasized the importance of local institutions in housing policies: "It is a priority issue in this term, and as we outlined in the housing plan, the goal is to guarantee decent, adequate, and affordable housing for citizens, especially those with the greatest needs." He also highlighted inter-institutional collaboration as essential, acknowledging the limited municipal competencies and resources to address the housing crisis.
