Desperate demand from builders due to lack of workers

The Balearic builders association needs to build 7,000 homes each year to meet the current demand. They demand between 10,000 and 15,000 workers in the sector. They also warn that they will not be able to put affordable housing on the market

The Association of Construction Companies of the Balearic Islands needs to build 7,000 homes each year to meet the current demand in a context of housing emergency. Currently, there is a shortage of around 20,000 properties on the islands. Speeding up bureaucratic procedures and promoting high-rise building due to high land prices are two of the needs that make it impossible for them to build affordable housing. In addition, they demand between 10,000 and 15,000 workers in the construction sector.

20,000 homes are missing

Last year 3,560 homes were built in the Balearic Islands, 3 percent more than in 2021. Although this is a far cry from the 15,000 that were being built in 2007.

On the other hand, their average cost has tripled in the last 15 years. Builders claim that the Balearic Islands has been building less than 4,000 properties per year for 13 years.

Affordable housing is not being built

As far as public investment is concerned, last year 93 subsidized housing units were approved, although according to the IBAVI there were 144, because not all of them go through this process. Insufficient to meet the current demand, according to the employers’ association. In this regard, they call for public-private partnerships to cede public land so that private entrepreneurs can build in an affordable way.