José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, the secretary general of the PSdeG (Galician Socialist Party), has called on the president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, to take inspiration from the municipal government of Vigo and establish a Public Rental Bank. This initiative aims to make vacant homes available for rent across Galicia, providing guarantees for both landlords and tenants.
Speaking in the Navia neighbourhood, where public housing was developed under the administration of Emilio Pérez Touriño, Besteiro emphasised the need for the Xunta to act decisively. He highlighted the municipal programme 'Vive Vigo' as a successful model that should be replicated throughout the region. Accompanying him were Vigo's mayor, Abel Caballero, and two candidates for the Senate from Pontevedra, Carmela Silva and Olga Alonso.
“Rueda has the powers, but here in Vigo, Abel provides solutions,” Besteiro remarked, urging the regional government to address the estimated 100,000 vacant homes in Galicia. He reiterated that many of these properties are owned by small landlords rather than large investment firms, and called for the Xunta to act as an intermediary to ensure security for both parties involved in rental agreements.
According to Besteiro, the proposed Public Rental Bank would help tenants secure more affordable rents while providing landlords with assurances regarding payment and property maintenance. He expressed scepticism about the Xunta's ability to meet its target of 10,000 public housing units by 2030, noting that this commitment comes after 17 years of neglect under the Popular Party (PP) governments.
In response, Abel Caballero welcomed Besteiro and explained the choice of Navia as the location for this discussion. He pointed out that the Touriño administration built 450 rental homes in just four years, all of which remain occupied. Caballero contrasted this success with the performance of the current PP leadership, accusing them of failing to provide affordable rental options in Vigo.
Caballero also highlighted the efforts of the municipal government, which has rehabilitated over 1,000 homes and is working on various projects to increase the availability of affordable housing. The 'Vive Vigo' programme is designed to manage the estimated 12,000 vacant homes in the city, ensuring that tenants do not pay more than 30% of their salary on rent, with the municipality covering any excess.
As the PSdeG pushes for the establishment of a Public Rental Bank across Galicia, Besteiro concluded that the Xunta, which holds the housing competencies, must take action to address the ongoing housing crisis.
