Ibiza Town Council is to build five public homes for young people in Sa Penya, on a site currently occupied by derelict ruins next to the Sa Pedrera archaeological laboratory. The project has a budget of €1,992,654 and forms part of a wider €4.7 million package that the council has allocated to housing policies.
The municipal council approved a budget amendment on Thursday allowing the €4.7 million investment to be mobilised. One day later, the council announced the first project to be funded, which will restore a derelict site in Ibiza’s historic quarter and give it a new residential use.
The plans include the full restoration of the existing ruins and the construction of five public homes integrated into the historic urban fabric of Sa Penya.
Before the works can be put out to tender, the project must receive approval from the PEPRI Commission, the body responsible for overseeing the protection and rehabilitation of Ibiza’s historic areas. Once that approval is granted, the council will begin the tendering process.
Priority for residents registered in Ibiza for at least 10 years
Ibiza Mayor Rafael Triguero said the council intends to make use of its available resources and powers to increase the town’s public housing stock.
“Ibiza does not have a minute to lose when it comes to housing. Everything that depends on this council will move forward as quickly as possible,” Triguero said.
The mayor also announced that residents who can prove they have been registered in the municipality for at least ten years will have priority when applying for the homes, in accordance with the criteria established by the council for their allocation.
“We want the homes promoted directly by the council to respond to the needs of those who live here, work here and have spent years building their lives in Ibiza,” he added.
From derelict ruins to five new public homes
Housing councillor Lola Penín said the project will achieve two objectives: increasing the public housing stock while also restoring a currently degraded part of Sa Penya.
“In this case, we are restoring a site that is currently in ruins and turning it into five new public homes for young people, while continuing to rehabilitate and restore one of the historic neighbourhoods of our city,” she said.
The project is part of the council’s wider strategy to increase the supply of public housing through several routes, including new construction and the rehabilitation of existing properties, the acquisition of homes and the provision of land for new developments.
The €4.7 million approved this week also includes funding to acquire homes and restore municipal properties in Sa Penya. According to information published this week, the budget amendment allocates €2.9 million to the purchase of homes or residential buildings, while a further €1.8 million will go towards the rehabilitation of UA 2-3 in Sa Penya.
Five homes aimed specifically at young people
The five homes in the new development will be specifically allocated to young people from the municipality.
Youth councillor Manu Jiménez said the initiative is intended to help young residents become independent without having to leave Ibiza.
“We want our young people to be able to build their future in Ibiza,” Jiménez said, adding that the council intends to continue promoting projects designed to make access to housing easier.
The project follows other recent housing initiatives in Sa Penya, where the council handed over the keys in August to seven refurbished municipal homes for affordable rent. Monthly rents for those properties range from €203 to €460.
