In Alicante, the difficulty in accessing housing is evident. Rental prices have increased by 11.5% in the last year, with the average rent now around 1,450 euros. This rise means that an average family dedicates nearly 40% of its income to rent, before covering other essential expenses such as food, utilities, or education.
The real estate market, far from self-regulating, has led to unaffordable flats, strained neighborhoods, and young people trapped in their parents' homes. Even individuals with a steady income struggle to pass real estate agency filters, which often demand monthly guarantees of 2,500 euros.
In Elche, the situation is no better. The PAH Elx-Crevillent (Platform for People Affected by Mortgages) has reported evictions of vulnerable households, criticizing that the municipal response is often limited to offering nights in a shelter, an insufficient solution given the lack of housing alternatives.
Housing has become a race against obstacles: finding an affordable flat, proving sufficient income, competing with numerous interested parties, and living with the uncertainty of contract renewal or potential price increases.
The PP's refusal to declare Alicante and Elche as 'tensioned zones' is difficult to justify. Rejecting tools to curb the price escalation means taking sides, and not precisely for the tenant. Non-intervention is also a political decision that allows prices to rise without limit.
Comparison with other regions where regulations have been applied shows price stabilization or decreases. Meanwhile, in Alicante and Elche, the problem persists without automatic correction.
In Alicante city, the case of Les Naus has impacted public trust, with protected housing being allocated to relatives of public officials. The resignation of the Urban Planning councilor highlights the need for a thorough review of procedures.
The record of public housing in Alicante over the last seven years is very poor, indicating a lack of political priority. In Elche, the regeneration of the San Antón neighborhood is accumulating unfulfilled promises.
The allocation of 72 protected housing units in Los Palmerales (Elche) is positive, but insufficient. The majority are oriented towards purchase, excluding many people who need social and affordable rentals.
The PAH calls for more mediation with large property owners, increased pre-emption rights, more public housing, and municipal involvement. The market seeks profitability, and politics must set limits.
The Valencian PP's stance of appealing the State Housing Plan is contradictory, as the province urgently needs funding and solutions. Housing should not be a partisan battleground.
While administrations debate, neighborhoods, commerce, and the way of living in the city are changing. More people are moving to inland municipalities seeking lower prices, although these are also starting to rise. This problem is spreading like an oil slick.
The key question is: for whom are these cities being built? For those who live there year-round, or for those who can pay more? If Alicante and Elche become mere showcases, society will have failed.
It is necessary to declare tensioned zones, increase the public housing stock, use public land for affordable rentals, mediate with property owners, pursue abuses, and limit tourist rentals. Housing is a life project, not a commodity.
Alicante and Elche face a serious problem, a social emergency. While thousands of families struggle to survive, those with the tools to intervene talk about procedures and prudence, but not when a family ends up on the street.
An emergency is not contemplated from an office; it is confronted. When a city expels those who work, care for, and sustain it, it ceases to be a city and becomes a business.
