Former military building to be assessed for public housing

The Generalitat de Catalunya has purchased a disused 2,400-square-metre former Civil Guard barracks in Baqueira, within the municipality of Naut Aran, for €3.7 million. The acquisition, confirmed on 14 October 2026, was made from the Spanish State and marks a collaborative effort with the Conselh Generau d’Aran to explore new public housing opportunities in the Val d’Aran. The building, located in the Baqueira 1500 parking area, has been vacant for several years and will now become part of the public property portfolio. Its future use has not yet been decided, but the primary objective is to study its transformation into affordable and publicly managed housing.

Next steps involve safety and feasibility studies

Initial actions will focus on securing the building and its surroundings, along with carrying out essential maintenance. A functional programme will be developed to determine potential uses and required interventions. No final decisions have been made on how many homes could be created, who they would serve, or the cost and timeline for rehabilitation. To coordinate the process, a working commission will be established with representatives from the Generalitat, the Conselh Generau d’Aran, and the Ajuntament de Naut Aran. This body will assess urban and legal constraints, technical and economic viability, and define the necessary phases for any future development.

Housing pressures in a high-demand tourist area

The move comes amid ongoing challenges in securing year-round housing in the Val d’Aran. According to the Val d’Aran Housing Plan, only 36% of dwellings in the area are designated for permanent residency. The rest are used as second homes or tourist accommodation, contributing to a tight market for local residents. The acquisition does not guarantee new housing construction, as the final outcome depends on the results of technical and economic assessments. However, officials from both the Generalitat and the Conselh Generau d’Aran have described the purchase as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the public housing stock in a region where affordability remains a significant concern. More information on housing policy in the region is available via the Comissió d'Urbanisme d'Aran and the PDU de la Val d'Aran.

Primary sources: territori.gencat.cat, abp03, Gabinet d'Estudis Econòmics, govern.cat. Reported by lavalira.eu, conselharan.org, esquinoticias.com, diaricatalunya.cat, Europa Press, nautaran.org, La Valira.