The Chamber of Urban Property of Tarragona has warned of a significant housing shortage across the Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre regions, as population growth between 2020 and 2024 has "notably exceeded" the number of new homes built. This imbalance is driving up property prices and reducing both purchase and rental availability, according to the Chamber.
In Tarragona city alone, 6,636 new residents were recorded over the past five years, while only 976 new homes were completed. This translates to an average of 6.8 new residents for every new property, a figure "much higher" than the city's typical residential occupancy ratio of 2.5 people per main home, the Chamber stated.
The Chamber of Urban Property of Tarragona and the Ebre highlighted this stark difference between housing construction and population growth as a "structural factor" straining the local residential market. This pressure is evident in the "progressive increase in prices and the reduction of supply for both buying and renting," officials said.
Regional Disparities in Housing Pressure
The residential pressure is even more pronounced in other major cities across the region. Amposta in Terres de l'Ebre records the highest imbalance, with 52.8 people per new home, followed by Valls in Camp de Tarragona with 49.1. Other cities experiencing significant pressure include El Vendrell (24.9), Tortosa (24), Torredembarra (16.5), Salou (15.1), Reus (14.1), Cambrils (5.1), La Ràpita (17.1), and Alcanar (16.4). The average across the main cities stands at 15.5 people per main home.
Most municipalities in the Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre regions maintain an average occupancy of between 2.4 and 2.6 people per main home. However, the Chamber cautioned that "the current pace of building is very far from being able to cover the real needs derived from demographic growth."
To address the escalating housing shortage, the organisation is urging administrations to implement measures that facilitate the promotion of new construction. These include streamlining urban planning procedures and incentivising the rehabilitation and incorporation of existing properties into the market.
