Housing: an intergenerational and cross-cutting issue
By Paulino Mata · Communications consultant at GAD3.
Talking about housing in Spain means talking about a concern that unites everyone: young and old, tenants and owners, residents of Madrid and Soria. Housing is no longer just a roof over one’s head, but a reflection of a problem that spans generations and territories.
The II Housing Barometer, produced by the General Council of Technical Architecture of Spain (CGATE) and GAD3, makes it clear: more than 40% of Spaniards rank housing among the two main problems facing the country. It is not just an economic issue; it is also an emotional and social concern that conditions how we live, how we work, and how we imagine our future.
The study reveals something deeper: we are not just talking about bricks and mortar or mortgages, but about well-being, stability, and social cohesion. Access to housing no longer depends solely on personal effort, but on the context in which one is born or lives. Looking for an apartment in Madrid is not the same as looking for one in Soria, nor is becoming independent with a permanent contract the same as doing so with a temporary one. Meanwhile, the psychological impact grows: uncertainty, stress, and anxiety have become constant companions for those trying to stabilize their life plans.
The difficulty of accessing housing does not only affect young people, even though they are the most visible face of the problem. Their inability to become independent disrupts the generational balance on which the family and community are based. When a young person cannot begin their adult life, form their own household, or build a future, the country’s economic and social renewal is also slowed. Emancipation, rather than a choice, has become a privilege conditioned by one’s environment.
The weight of barriers
Why don’t young people become independent? The answer seems obvious, but it is more complex than it appears. Access to housing continues to depend on high initial capital and unstable working conditions that prevent long-term planning.
According to the barometer, one in five Spaniards needed family help to become independent, a figure that rises to 36% among those under 30. Independence, rather than a personal decision, has become a privilege conditioned by the economic, employment and, in many cases, family environment.
When housing weighs on the mind
Housing not only defines our economy, but also our emotional well-being. One in four young people admit to feeling stress or anxiety when looking for a home, and it is not difficult to understand why: 25% of those under 30 spend more than half their income on housing. With no margin for saving or investing, building a future becomes a pipe dream.
Added to this is residential insecurity, especially among young people with unstable jobs, who live in constant fear of losing their homes. And yet, even amid this uncertainty, housing remains an emotional refuge: 70% of Spaniards say their home has a positive impact on their well-being, a percentage that rises to 78% among homeowners, compared to 49% of renters.
This article by Idealista explains the results of the study in detail. You can read it and see how the presentation event in the Senate went.
A mirror of society
The barometer draws a clear conclusion: talking about housing means talking about inequality, mental health, and life plans. It reflects the society we are and the country we want to build.
Solving this challenge requires a long-term vision that restores certainty and opportunities for all generations. From the father seeking stability for his children, to the young person who cannot find a place to start their life, to the grandfather who still supports the family.
Meanwhile, many Spaniards continue to look to the future with a common question:
Will I ever be able to own a place to call “home”?
