Orihuela City Council is preparing to approve the creation of the Municipal Housing and Land Company, aimed at improving access to housing, urban regeneration, and revitalization of the Historic Center. The new company will be based in the Caja de Ahorros de Monserrate, recently renovated at a cost if 4 million euro, situated right in the heart of the city.
Urban Planning Councillor Matías Ruiz praised the initiative as a step toward “stable and efficient management” that will serve families, young homebuyers, and Historic Center residents. The company will handle housing advisory services, promote affordable housing, manage rehabilitation projects, and coordinate government subsidies.
However, the plan’s focus is almost entirely on the city itself. Initiatives are concentrated on:
- Building public housing for young people on municipal plots in the Historic Center.
- Rehabilitating old buildings and homes in the Historic Center.
- Managing protected housing applications and energy rehabilitation programs.
Nowhere in the proposal is there mention of Orihuela Costa, the municipality’s coastal area, which faces growing housing pressures, infrastructure needs, and population growth. While the city center receives new resources, investment, and attention, Orihuela Costa appears to be left on the sidelines.
Critics argue that the new municipal company, while well-intentioned, reflects a pattern of prioritizing the historic core over the broader municipality. Without a parallel plan for Orihuela Costa, residents there may continue to face limited access to affordable housing and urban services, raising questions about the inclusivity and balance of the city’s development strategy.
