Torrelavega Approves Land Transfer for 12 Affordable Rental Homes

In a significant move to address the housing needs in Torrelavega, the local council has unanimously approved the transfer of a building to Gesvican, the public housing company of Cantabria, for the construction of 12 affordable rental homes.

Unanimous Approval

The decision was made during a commission meeting on February 25, 2025, marking a crucial step in the collaboration between the Government of Cantabria and the Municipality of Torrelavega to enhance the availability of affordable housing. This approval follows a broader initiative by the regional government to build a total of 285 protected housing units across nine municipalities during the current legislative term.

Location and Details

The building in question is located on Calle Marqueses de Valdecilla y Pelayo in Torrelavega. This transfer is part of a larger urban development plan aimed at increasing the stock of affordable housing in the area. The rehabilitation of this building will be undertaken by Gesvican, which has been actively involved in various housing projects across Cantabria.

Broader Context

This initiative is aligned with the ambitious housing plan of the Government of Cantabria, led by President María José Sáenz de Buruaga. The government has been working closely with local municipalities to identify and develop sites for protected housing. In Torrelavega, this includes not only the 12 units in the Marqueses de Valdecilla y Pelayo building but also 42 additional affordable rental homes to be built on a 2,210 square meter plot in the 'El Valle' area of Sierrapando, as agreed upon in a separate convenio signed earlier in February 2025[1][2].

Additional Housing Initiatives

Roberto Media, the regional minister responsible for Housing, has highlighted that Torrelavega is one of the municipalities where the need for affordable housing is most pressing. In addition to the aforementioned projects, the government plans to construct 15 new homes in the El Zapatón neighborhood and is preparing to launch a tender for the rehabilitation of the building on Calle Marqueses de Valdecilla y Pelayo once the project is finalized[1][2].

Funding and Collaboration

The construction and management of these housing units will be cofinanced with European funds, reflecting the commitment to leveraging all available resources to address the housing deficit. The collaboration between the regional government and the municipality of Torrelavega is seen as a model for effective public-private partnerships in housing development[1][2].

Municipal Support

Javier López Estrada, the Mayor of Torrelavega, has expressed his gratitude to President Sáenz de Buruaga and Minister Media for their support in addressing the housing issue in the city. He emphasized the need for public administrations to utilize all available tools to solve the housing problem, citing the 'El Valle' partial plan as an example of generating urban land for both protected and market-rate housing[1][2].

This initiative is a significant step forward in providing affordable housing options for the residents of Torrelavega and aligns with the broader efforts of the Cantabrian government to make housing more accessible and affordable across the region.