Housing Crisis Top Priority, Says President
At the 31st Nit de l’Empresa hosted by business association Cecot in Sant Cugat on Thursday evening, President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa identified housing as one of Catalonia’s most pressing challenges. Speaking at the Teatre-Auditori Emma Vilarasau, Illa stressed the need to build 175,000 new homes across the region to address affordability and availability. Illa’s remarks come amid growing concern over housing shortages, rising rental prices, and the impact of tourist apartments on local markets. He pledged to reduce short-term rental units, expand financial aid for first-time buyers struggling with down payments, and accelerate construction of new housing. "What I will not do is stand by with my arms folded," Illa stated, directly challenging those opposing new housing developments. He framed the issue as one of social responsibility, calling for a humane approach to ensure access to housing for all.
Sant Cugat’s Economic Strength Highlighted
The event, held under the theme 'Inconformisme en acció | Qüestionar · Repensar · Actuar · Transformar · Avançar', also celebrated regional business achievements. Sant Cugat’s mayor, Josep Maria Vallès, highlighted the city’s role as a business hub, noting it hosts over 3,200 companies and nearly 68,000 jobs. According to the ACCIÓ 2026 report, Sant Cugat has 94 startups, the highest density per capita in Catalonia and nearly 46% of all startups in the Vallès Occidental region. Vallès described the city as a place where businesses can grow, talent can thrive, and families can build their lives.
Business Leaders Call for Strategic Vision
Xavier Panés, re-elected president of Cecot, called for greater political consensus and strategic vision to strengthen Catalonia’s economy. He emphasized the importance of stable institutions, the rule of law, and collaboration with businesses as central to competitiveness. Panés also criticised recent housing policies, arguing they have created legal uncertainty, discouraged rental supply, and hindered new construction. He urged governments at all levels to create conditions that enable investment and development.
We entrepreneurs are ready. Give us the framework to invest and build, and we will reverse the housing shortage in a growing Catalonia and Spain.
He further questioned the timing and target of a planned general strike, warning it could harm small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 99% of Catalan businesses.
Key Sectors for Future Growth
Illa outlined key areas for future investment, including renewable energy, desalination plants to combat drought, and upgrades to transport infrastructure such as ports, airports, and rail networks. He also stressed the importance of retaining talent through public universities. These efforts, he said, are essential to confronting three major societal shifts: climate change, demographic change, and technological transformation. Illa also called for Catalonia to have a stronger voice in European decision-making to protect its interests.
For more on Catalonia’s startup ecosystem, visit the ACCIÓ 2026 report.
More Barcelona coverage on Barna.News: Over 3,000 Await Affordable Homes in Sant Cugat.
Primary sources: cugat.cat, premsa.santcugat.cat, ACCIÓ - Agència per a la Competitivitat de l'Empresa, ACCIÓ - Agència per la Competitivitat de l'Empresa, eines.santcugat.cat. Reported by empresascif.com.
