Social Housing Management Models in Spain

Spain is one of the European countries with the lowest social rented stock, merely 2% compared to the EU-15 average of 11.7%. Current Spanish housing policies aim to increase this percentage but it is essential that this is accompanied by an efficient social housing management system. The main aim of this paper is to introduce the Spanish models of social housing management and to point out two main features: the variety of providers (public and private) and the fact that social rented housing is mostly provided by public entities (either regional or local). Apart from the structural description this paper also highlights, as well as existing good practice, the weak points of this management system, which could be improved through public-private partnership schemes for managing social housing.