Valencia’s Housing Crisis Sparks Mass Demonstration for Rent Control and Local Rights
A significant demonstration unfolded in Valencia this past Saturday, where thousands took to the streets under the banner of "València sofega," echoing sentiments from a devastating flood that struck the city in 1957. Organized by the movement "València no està en venda," comprising nearly 200 groups and associations, the rally demanded urgent action for housing rights, including a cap on rent prices and an outright ban on tourist apartments.
The march began at the Torres de Serrano, culminating at City Hall, and was characterized by powerful chants rallying against speculation, calling for the resignation of the Minister of Housing, Isabel Rodríguez, and emphasizing that infrastructure should prioritize local residents over transient tourists. Protesters carried keys symbolizing their battle for housing rights and held banners proclaiming slogans such as "All landlords are bastards" and "Capitalism is the cancer that kills neighborhoods."
María Alandes, a spokesperson for "València no està en venda," highlighted the alarming trend of housing in Valencia being increasingly owned by Northern European residents and speculators. She asserted, "They are selling the whole city to speculative funds, and we want a city for its neighborhood," shedding light on the growing issue of locals being pushed to nearby towns as housing prices soar. Alandes also emphasized the importance of banning tourist housing entirely, warning about the emergence of 'horizontal hotels' and the extensive number of vacant homes in the city, especially in central areas where nearly 40% of the housing stock sits empty.
The concerns raised by protest leaders are further compounded by the alarming rise in rent prices—117% since 2015—making it increasingly untenable for residents to find affordable housing. Alba Font, another spokesperson from the movement, called for the city to be declared a "tense area" to effectively regulate rental prices and halt evictions without alternative housing options.
Rallying for transformation, Font remarked, "Valencia is saturated, it is drowning. The model must change; we need to stop relying so heavily on tourism as the main economic engine." Discussions among the group indicated a willingness to consider a strike if their demands remained unmet, demonstrating the readiness for action among collective voices.
Pablo Ramos, also from "València no està en venda," expressed that current housing costs effectively make neighborhoods unaffordable for many, with young people often spending upwards of 80% of their salary on rent. The sentiment resonated with many demonstrators, including families who attended with children, recognizing the dire circumstances young working individuals face in their quest for independence.
Political representatives joined demonstrators, including Compromís spokesperson Papi Robles, who pledged to propose the rally's demands in the city council, stressing that the invasion of tourist apartments is detrimental. She urged for immediate intervention to cap rent prices, questioning the inaction of the Generalitat's president Carlos Mazón, stating, "What are they waiting for?"
The spokesperson for PSPVPSOE, Borja Sanjuán, criticized local leaders for allowing rampant speculation to flourish in the housing market at the expense of residents. He proposed that purchasing homes should be prohibited unless intended for habitation, emphasizing a need for proactive measures to protect the community.
As the rally concluded, demonstrators remained steadfast in their resolve to reclaim their city from the grips of speculative practices and the burgeoning tourist market. The gathering served not only as a protest but also a rallying point for unity among Valencia's residents, with a clear message: the fight for housing rights and community integrity in the face of rising prices and displacement will continue.
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