Resolution on the future of students housing in Spain

Spain is facing the impact of the housing crisis, which started in 2012; right now housing is not guaranteed and does not have decent conditions. Since then, the increase in prices has grown exponentially in an extraordinary way which  makes it infeasible to access housing. This situation is aggravated in younger generations and therefore among students, who have to combine this violation of their fundamental rights with  academic duties directly affecting daily life, academic performance, mental health, etc. This situation has been increasing inequalities  and sharply limiting students lifes but also future.

The demand for housing for different reasons is not being absorbed by the actual housing student system has already created an unsustainable situation in Spain. Prices are extremely high and uninhabitable dwellings without basic needs covered, that are rented by students who have no other option than the imperative need to live under a roof. This price increase creates a widespread reality of working and studying simultaneously intensifying economic and intergenerational inequalities of opportunity. Due this situation it is already not a possibility for domestic students to afford moving out, whichever the reason is behind this decision; according to the Spanish Youth Forum only 14,8% of young people between 16 and 34 years old have been able to move out on 2024. 

We recognise this crisis due the major gentrification that the country is suffering but also the inflation and incapacity from the public institutions to work on it to find long term solutions. 

Still with this situation, according to Article 47 of the Spanish Constitution, all Spaniards have the right to enjoy decent and adequate housing, and it is the public authorities that must promote the necessary conditions and establish the pertinent norms to make this right effective. In addition, article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and article 11.1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966, among other international treaties, recognize the right to adequate housing.

In consequence,  attending the work CREUP has been doing regarding this matter, united with the European Sudent’s Union, we request; 

• Increasement of the founding student housing from the public institutions in charge.
• We demand a joint cooperation and bigger compromise from the spanish institutions and Government to work on a long term solution plan with CREUP and the pertinent organisations taking in mind the statements and plan of work CREUP has worked on the matter. 
• Increase the quality of student housing for the new construction or readaptation of it.