The Local Housing Office (OLH) in Valls, Tarragona, processed a record €744,000 in housing aid during 2024, marking a 35% increase from 2023. This figure represents the highest amount ever managed by the office, according to officials.
Of the total aid, €655,000 was allocated for rent payments through various programmes funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya. The OLH handled 457 applications for rental assistance, a 21.5% rise in processed cases.
European Funds and Municipal Subsidies
Beyond rental support, the OLH also managed other aid lines, including those financed by European Next Generation funds. In 2024, 14 grants totalling €49,456 were awarded to building owners for rehabilitation or energy efficiency improvements, nearly double the amount from the previous year. Additionally, Valls City Council provided 53 subsidies worth €11,000 to owners who listed their flats with the OLH, and another 24 rental payment grants for an additional €11,000.
The OLH's 2024 activity report also shows a general increase in demand for housing, with 144 applications, up 13.4%. Municipal housing policies have helped keep the average monthly rent below market rates, making housing more accessible for residents, including young people, families facing economic difficulties, and the elderly.
Affordable Rent and Public Housing Expansion
In 2024, the average rent for homes managed by the OLH was €306 per month. This is significantly lower than the average rental prices across Valls, the Tarragona province (€586), and Catalonia as a whole (€844), according to the OLH.
The office currently manages 130 flats for affordable rent. Property owners who list their flats with the OLH receive benefits such as free insurance, IBI tax bonuses, legal support for non-payments, and ongoing technical assistance from municipal staff to manage tenant-owner relationships.
Valls now has 23 public housing units, the highest number ever managed by the OLH. This expansion of the public housing stock occurred in 2025 with the addition of eight new homes owned by the Catalan Housing Agency.
