Palma housing plan: cruise tax doubles under PSIB bid

Palma could get a municipal housing company to offer affordable rents under a package of 52 changes put forward by the PSIB on Thursday, 10 September. The proposal forms part of changes to the Ley de Capitalidad, Palma’s capital city law.

The company could bring in private capital while working with the public sector to promote and build homes for rent. PSIB parliamentary spokesman Iago Negueruela said his party also wants to scrap existing clauses which, in its view, favour more free-market housing for developers.

Palma seeks power to cap rents

The PSIB wants Palma to be able to apply for designation as a pressured housing area, allowing the city to set a limit on rents. Negueruela said it was unclear whether there would be agreement in Palma, but argued that the decision should rest with the city’s representatives rather than the Govern.

Cruise passengers would pay €8

Cruise passengers visiting Palma and staying overnight in the port would face a higher Sustainable Tourism Tax under another PSIB amendment. The charge would rise from €4 to €8.

Negueruela said this could leave Palma with a positive balance of €8 million, money that could help finance the proposed housing company. The party also wants the city to have stronger powers to tackle illegal tourist lets, particularly through the Policía Local, and close flats advertising irregular accommodation.

Other proposals include more climate refuges, after Negueruela said Palma lacked shade in parks and water in fountains. The PSIB is also calling for fully free Empresa Municipal de Transports services and Bicipalma, with funding from the higher tourism-tax balance and increased contributions from the Govern and the Consell de Mallorca.

The package also calls for measures on equality, co-financing for municipal services, and a retroactive 12-month right for Palma City Council to buy certain plots intended for public spaces or general systems before private buyers.

Topics: Police · Housing · Tourism · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com