The municipal group Compromís per Ontinyent has presented the second motion it will defend in the Ordinary Plenary of May of the Ontinyent City Council, to promote public and protected housing and declare Ontinyent a tensioned zone. The proposal, registered by the spokesperson of the main opposition group, Nico Calabuig, proposes establishing mandatory reserves of protected housing, of a minimum of 30%, in new residential developments; requesting the declaration of a tensioned residential market zone from the Generalitat Valenciana, to contain rental prices; and advancing in the construction of municipal public housing, with own investments and from other administrations. The objective is to implement measures to address the housing challenge from the municipal level, and offer alternatives that allow access to decent housing for all people.

In Calabuig's words, “in the last year, the price of housing has risen by 23.1% in Ontinyent, and rent has increased by an average of 14.8%. This price escalation is added to previous years' increases, and combined with an insufficient stock of public housing, it is causing a strong market tension in the city, with rental and purchase prices unaffordable for many people, and the proliferation of abusive formulas such as renting substandard housing or rooms. Faced with this scenario, the Ontinyent City Council cannot remain impassive or make excuses. It must activate municipal measures to offer future possibilities, retain population, and prevent the expulsion of people and families who want to build their life project in Ontinyent”.

“Therefore, we present a motion with three very clear proposals to the Municipal Plenary. The first is to establish mandatory reserves of protected public housing in new residential developments, with a minimum of 30%, to ensure that Ontinyent's urban growth also generates affordable housing. We ask that the agreement be reflected in the regulatory documentation and have the necessary technical reports, to ensure its real application. Current Valencian legislation makes it possible for the City Council to incorporate protected housing reserves. Furthermore, the proposal also aligns with Europe's strategy on housing and the Sustainable Development Goals,” explained Calabuig.

The spokesperson pointed out that “we also propose that the City Council request the declaration as a ‘tensioned residential market zone’ from the Generalitat Valenciana, to contain rents in the city in the face of continued price increases. Cities like Dénia, Mislata, Sagunto, Paiporta, Sedaví, or Gandia have already made the request. It is the responsibility of the Generalitat Valenciana to respond and comply with state legislation, which includes this instrument. Furthermore, it opens the door to state subsidies for public housing. Finally, we propose that the Ontinyent City Council study all possible formulas for building municipal public housing. Among them, allocating own resources, prioritizing housing actions in investment programs where the destination of resources can be decided, and submitting public housing projects for subsidies and programs focused on this area”.

“The measures we propose are perfectly viable and achievable by the City Council, and depend on political will. From Compromís per Ontinyent, we are clear that access to decent housing for all people must be a strategic axis of municipal management. We hope to count on the favorable vote of the entire corporation, as Ontinyent deserves certainties and viable alternatives in housing matters,” concluded Calabuig.