·         25-11-2024
Canada has become an example to follow in the fight against the housing crisis, showing that building thousands of houses in a few months is possible if the right policies are prioritized. In a global context where demand far exceeds supply, this country has implemented solutions that could be a model for other nations, including Spain, where access to housing remains a critical problem, especially for young people.
What is the problem?
The constant increase in purchase and rental prices, coupled with the lack of supply in large cities, creates an explosive cocktail. Attempts to intervene in prices or provide direct aid, although well-intentioned, fail to attack the root problem: the lack of sufficient housing in the most stressed areas.
Meanwhile, Canada has decided to take the bull by the horns, facing its own housing crisis with a more ambitious approach: building quickly to balance the balance between supply and demand. The Canadian strategy: more houses, less bureaucracy
Since 2022, Canada has managed to build more than 10,000 homes in just six months thanks to a plan that simplifies procedures and eliminates administrative barriers. The key?
• Creation of a one-stop shop: the entire construction process is concentrated in a single point, which saves time and eliminates unnecessary paperwork.
• Use of public land: large tracts of state land have been designated exclusively for housing projects.
• Relaxation of local regulations: taller and closer buildings are allowed to be built, maximizing the use of available land.
In addition, the federal government has encouraged cities and provinces with million-dollar subsidies to implement more construction-friendly policies. This includes eliminating urban planning restrictions such as parking mandates or density limitations.
What can Spain learn?
In Spain, where housing policies tend to focus on controlling prices or encouraging social rentals, a structural change is needed that prioritizes the massive construction of housing in areas with high demand, such as Madrid and Barcelona.
A recent report points out that, although measures such as rental assistance or the release of public land are a positive step, the real solution lies in drastically increasing supply. Canada is already seeing the benefits of its strategy, although not without challenges.
Results and challenges of the Canadian model
Canada’s plan includes the construction of 3.87 million additional homes by 2031, with a focus on affordable housing. So far, initiatives such as the Rapid Housing Initiative have exceeded expectations:
• More than 15,500 affordable homes are already underway.
• Vulnerable groups, such as women with children and indigenous communities, are receiving priority attention.
However, not everything is perfect. Analysts warn that reaching these figures will require monumental efforts and unprecedented collaboration between the government and the private sector. In addition, access to developable land remains a key challenge, both in Canada and Spain.
Is it possible to replicate it here?
Although Canada and Spain have different contexts, there are elements that could be easily adapted:
1. Reduce bureaucracy: A one-stop-shop system could speed up projects in Spain.
2. Take advantage of public land: The State and municipalities have underused land that could be used for housing.
3. Relax urban planning regulations: Allow more density and reduce restrictions such as maximum heights or parking requirements.
Conclusion: supply is the solution
As Canada moves forward with ambitious plans to solve its housing crisis, Spain can learn from its example. If action is not taken quickly, the lack of affordable housing will continue to push more people into precarious situations.
The lesson is clear: for prices to fall and access to housing to improve, the solution is to build, and build quickly.