76% of Spaniards Support Housing Market Intervention, CIS Survey Shows

A staggering 86% of Spaniards express deep concern over the escalating housing crisis, which personally harms 41% of the population, according to data released by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) on Thursday. This widespread anxiety triggered a political and social fracture across the nation, culminating in a snap general election set for November 29 and a planned general strike.

The Public Demand for Market Intervention

A decisive 76% of respondents believe the state must intervene in the housing market as much as necessary to guarantee access for everyone, according to the CIS survey of 6,000 interviews. This sentiment clashes directly with the views of a minority 13.5% who view housing strictly as a market commodity. Instead, 79% of citizens insist that housing should be prioritized as a fundamental constitutional right. The public consensus spans across political lines, with even conservative voters showing openness to measures.

The housing crisis has held its spot as the leading problem for Spain continuously since December 2024, marking its record in May.

Contrasting Measures in the Housing Decrees

Public support varies significantly depending on the specific policy mechanism proposed. While freezing rental prices for two years wins a solid 70% backing and tourist apartment restrictions draw 76%, expropriation remains divisive. Only 40% support expropriating vacant homes, and just 50% favor seizing land to build public housing.

Tax cuts for first-time home buyers achieve the highest level of agreement at 95.4%, alongside a 91.4% demand for increased public housing construction and 72% approval for heavier taxes on landlords owning ten or more properties. The first of two government housing decrees entered into force on Thursday, incorporating a two-year extension on expiring rental contracts and 10 billion euros dedicated to housing access aid.

The Spark of the Snap Election

The legislative rush follows the September 23 eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, whose death on Wednesday, without ever returning to her home of 70 years, galvanized public outrage. That single event accelerated the collapse of parliamentary support for initial housing decrees, forcing early general elections for November 29.

With the first decree taking effect immediately and a second scheduled for November 15, unions have scheduled a general strike for November 11—just 48 hours before the official electoral campaign kicks off.

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