In full wave of protests over the problems that exist throughout the country in access to housing, the mayor of Marinaleda, Sergio Gómez Reyes (Vamos-IU)sent a letter this Thursday to Rocío Díaz (PP)Minister of Housing of the Government who presides Juan Manuel Moreno Bonillain which he vindicates the town’s alternative model of public housing construction, an emblem for the left. In it he offers to visit the town and demands collaboration and funds to be able to build more public housing.
“I invite you to Learn first-hand about our public housing construction model, “which is a pioneer,” the councilor tells the counselor. “We need your collaboration,” he adds, “the Marinaleda City Council is committed to enabling urban land to the extent that the Andalusian Government is committed to [disponer] the necessary funds for the construction of homes in our town.
“We are also committed to ensuring that not one euro cent of that public money is used for anyone’s private profit,” says the councilor. “Do not be afraid or look the other way, investing in rights as basic as housing is something that I could be tremendously proud of,” she claims. Gomez Reyesheir to the legendary day laborer leader and mayor Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo.
In Marinaleda, according to the data provided by the city council to Publicthere are about 300 public homes, out of the thousand that the town has. “While the Spanish State has one of the poorest public housing stocks in all of Europe (only 2.5%), More than 300 public housing units have been built in Marinaleda. Offering decent housing is a vital right for the poorest and a moral obligation of all institutions,” he explains. Gomez Reyes.
Public housing is built in Marinaleda de two ways. On the one hand, there are the financed by the City Council. “We make those and rent them out. Instead of building sidewalks, we build homes,” says the mayor.
“We are currently building 24 social housing units that, once completed, will be delivered on a symbolic rental basis (15-20 euros) to the families that request them. Avoiding speculation at all costs is a daily lesson in ethics, utopia and solidarity” , he adds.
Self-construction
The other model is self-construction. The soil, they explain at the Town Hallis transferred at no cost. The same goes for the materials and several bricklayers to direct the works. The technical project of the homes is carried out by the architects and is also free. “Self-builders can actively participate in this project to rectify or modify those things that improve their homes,” the City Council states on its website.
Finally, in an assembly, the price of what will be paid per month for the home is collectively decided. The last homes have a fixed fee of 15 euros. “In the end that’s the beautiful thing, what do you do your home and that there is an administration that encourages you to have a home,” reflects the mayor.
The use of the home belongs to the family that lives there and passes from fathers and mothers to daughters and sons, but speculation with them is not permitted. They cannot be sold on the free market.
“The homes have three bedrooms, bathroom and a 100 square meter patio which allow, if the self-builder so wishes, to increase the number of meters built since the housing projects are previously adapted to these future expansions,” the council explains on its website.
For Gomez Reyes “Political democracy is not possible without social and economic democracy.” “Housing should not serve as a commercial asset for capital hoarders and heritage but rather it should be a basic good of first necessity,” he adds.
“Our intention is continue building more public housing for future generations, betting on a supportive and humanist urbanism,” emphasizes the councilor.
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