The Ibiza branch of Nuevas Generaciones, the youth organisation of the Partido Popular, has called on the Spanish Government to give young people living and working on the island priority when the future homes at Ca n’Escandell are allocated.

The organisation made the request on Monday, September 21, as debate continues over the eligibility criteria for the 532 affordable homes planned in the new development in Ibiza Town.

NNGG Calls for Priority for Young Residents

NNGG Ibiza president Manu Jiménez said young people who live, work and have built their lives on the island should have a genuine opportunity to access housing being developed there.

He argued that young residents should not have to compete on the same terms as people who have no previous connection with Ibiza for a home built to address the island's housing needs.

Jiménez said the organisation was not asking for privileges, but for the circumstances of residents and workers on the island to be taken into account when the homes are allocated.

The 532 Homes at Ca n’Escandell

Ca n’Escandell is one of the largest public and affordable housing developments currently planned in Ibiza.

The project will contain 532 homes. According to Casa 47, the state housing entity will directly develop 362 homes on two plots that it owns outright, while the remaining 170 homes are planned on another plot where it holds a 60% share and will work with the Balearic Government and local authorities.

The Spanish Ministry of Housing has committed €131 million to the construction of the 362 homes on the state-owned plots and has said it is prepared to contribute a further €14 million towards the remaining 170 homes.

Construction Is Planned for 2027

The development has not yet reached the main building phase.

Urbanisation works are currently progressing at the site. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez announced during a visit on September 17 that construction of the new homes is expected to begin in 2027, alongside the final stage of the urbanisation works.

The urbanisation is scheduled for completion around March 2027, subject to progress and weather conditions.

Dispute Over Who Can Apply

The question of who will receive priority has become a point of disagreement between the Spanish Government and institutions in Ibiza.

During her September 17 visit, Rodríguez said the future homes managed by Casa 47 would be available to legal residents in Spain rather than being reserved specifically for existing residents of Ibiza.

She defended the approach by pointing to the need to attract essential workers to the island, including professionals such as doctors.

The position has prompted calls from political groups and local institutions for greater priority to be given to people who already live and work in Ibiza.

Balearic Housing Law

The debate also involves the Balearic Islands' housing legislation.

Article 70.8 of the regional Housing Law establishes a minimum five-year residence requirement for access to protected housing or housing subject to a public-protection regime. For publicly owned developments, people who meet that residence requirement in the municipality where the housing is located are given preference.

The legislation also provides for exceptions in certain circumstances, including for public employees who have moved to the islands to meet needs in areas such as healthcare, education, security and justice.

The Balearic Government has said this provision should apply to the protected homes at Ca n’Escandell.

However, the final allocation rules for the development will depend on the legal framework and conditions established for the homes managed by the state housing entity.

Local Authorities Ask for Longer Residence Requirement

The dispute has also prompted a joint response from Ibiza's island and municipal authorities.

The Consell d’Alcaldes agreed unanimously on September 18 to ask the Spanish Government and Casa 47 to prioritise people already living on the island in public and affordable housing developments.

For Ca n’Escandell, the institutions have requested preference for applicants able to demonstrate at least 10 years of residence in Ibiza.

That 10-year period is a local request and should not be confused with the five-year residence requirement contained in the Balearic Housing Law for protected housing.

Young People and Ibiza's Housing Problem

NNGG says young people are among those finding it increasingly difficult to establish themselves on the island because of housing costs and limited availability.

Its latest request specifically focuses on ensuring that young residents and workers are considered when the 532 homes at Ca n’Escandell eventually enter the allocation process.

No final allocation list or application procedure for the homes has yet been published.

What Happens Next

The immediate next stage at Ca n’Escandell is the completion of the urbanisation works, followed by the planned start of building construction in 2027.

The question of eligibility and priority remains subject to the rules that will govern the different homes within the development.

For now, NNGG Ibiza is calling for young people who already live and work on the island to receive priority, while the Consell and the island's five town halls have separately requested a broader local-resident preference.