Spain housing worry hits 54% as families delay children

Housing is now among the two biggest worries for 54% of people in Spain, up from 42% last year. For some who cannot afford to move, the strain reaches into family plans: 13% have put off having children.

The figures come from a housing survey presented in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, 22 October, by the Spanish General Council of Technical Architecture and research firm GAD3. Housing ranks ahead of healthcare, named by 35%, and the political situation, named by 33%.

Moving plans run into money trouble

Four in ten people surveyed are considering buying or renting a home within the next five years. But economic or work difficulties stand in the way for 41%, a lack of suitable homes for 32%, and financing for 31%.

Among those unable to move for financial reasons, 38% feel unsure about their personal or family stability. As well as those delaying children, 12% have postponed or given up plans to start a family. Of those aged 18 to 29, 65% needed help to live independently; in more than half those cases, the help was money from family.

Homes bring problems of their own

More than half of those surveyed, 53%, report a problem with their home. Poor insulation leaves 26% dealing with cold or heat, while 18% report noise and 16% damp. One in four who need improvements cannot pay for them.

Finding a rental is hard too. A third of tenants say the requirements are difficult to meet, rising to 53% among those who spend more than half their salary on rent.

Asked what would help, the largest group, 25%, want more public homes at affordable rents. Others call for limits on rents (23%), lower taxes (20%) or more land made available for building (16%).

Topics: Housing

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com