Madrid’s EMVS Introduces New Protected Housing Programs
The Municipal Housing and Land Company (EMVS) of Madrid is implementing significant changes to its protected housing programs, expanding eligibility to higher income brackets and introducing stricter residency requirements. These reforms, announced by Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, are designed to favor long-term residents and address the needs of middle-income households.
Key Changes and Requirements
The new programs, while maintaining previous requirements for some promotions, introduce more flexible criteria for higher salaries and a stronger emphasis on “local roots” (arraigo vecinal).
1. General Public Housing Program (Unchanged for now)
- Income Requirement: Annual family income from no declaration up to 3.5 times the IPREM (Public Multiple Effect Income Indicator), approximately 29,500 euros gross, increasing with family size.
- Application: Must be registered in the Permanent Registry of Housing Applicants.
- Ownership: Must not own another home.
- Tenancy: Must not be a tenant of other public housing.
- Residency: Must reside or work in Madrid.
2. New Promotions for “Middle-Income Madrid Residents”
These new promotions are aimed at individuals with higher incomes who previously fell outside the scope of EMVS programs. Adjudication will be by lottery.
- Income Requirement: Minimum of 3.5 times the IPREM (around 29,500 euros) up to 5.5 times the IPREM (around 50,000 euros). Some promotions may extend to 7.5 times the IPREM (around 62,000 euros gross annually).
- Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 50 years old.
- Residency (Arraigo): Must be registered in the Madrid municipality for a minimum of five uninterrupted years, or eight years within the last ten years.
- Ownership: Must not own another home within Spain.
- Anti-Occupation Clause: No member of the family unit must have been convicted of illegal occupation, rent non-payment, or eviction procedures due to coexistence issues in the last five years.
These new promotions will complement, not replace, existing public housing lotteries for those with incomes up to 3.5 times the IPREM.
3. Plan ReViVa (Third Modification)
The ReViVa Plan, designed to recover disused homes for rental, has also undergone modifications. While it aims to attract more landlords, it also opens up to higher income brackets.
- Income Requirement: The program will now be open to higher incomes, with a maximum of 7.5 times the IPREM (around 62,000 euros). The minimum remains around 29,500 euros.
- Ownership: Applicants cannot own another home within the Community of Madrid, but ownership elsewhere in Spain or internationally is permitted.
- Residency (Arraigo): A new requirement of five years of residency at the time of application has been introduced, which could exclude a significant number of applicants.
The EMVS has faced challenges in attracting landlords to the ReViVa program, with only 198 homes recovered and 143 tenants secured so far. The Consistory highlights the legal and administrative guarantees of the program as its main asset, particularly in a context where fear of illegal occupation is cited as a reason for reduced housing supply.
Impact and Criticisms
Pedro Barrero, a socialist councilor on the EMVS board, criticized the changes, stating that they “open this program to incomes higher than 62,000 euros, to consolidate a business for opaque owners and leave out those who need it most.” He also expressed concern that the stricter residency requirements could exclude over 16,000 families, or 27% of applicants.
Barrero emphasized that “the EMVS must guarantee the right to housing, not become a real estate agency at the service of a few.”
How to Apply
For the general public housing program, registration is completed via the EMVS website. For the new middle-income promotions and the ReViVa plan, specific application details will be announced for each promotion.
It is crucial to stay updated on the EMVS official website for precise application deadlines and required documentation for each specific program.
Further Information
Prospective applicants are advised to:
- Check the EMVS website regularly for updates on specific promotions and their requirements.
- Ensure all necessary documentation, especially proof of income and residency, is prepared in advance.
- Understand the IPREM limits and how family income is calculated for eligibility.
These new measures reflect a shift in Madrid’s housing policy, aiming to balance the needs of various income groups while promoting long-term residency within the city.
Source: https://www.eldiario.es/madrid/somos/guia-nuevos-programas-vivienda-protegida-emvs-madrid-apertura-rentas-altas-apuesta-arraigo_1_13164431.html
