The President of the Island Council, Vicent Marí, has called for housing policies in Ibiza to prioritise those who already live on the island, emphasising that public action must ensure decent and stable living conditions for residents. Speaking at the opening of a forum on housing challenges, he warned of the risk that the residential market could be increasingly displaced by second-home use or investment-driven dynamics.
Marí highlighted that housing access difficulties are not exclusive to Ibiza but represent a structural issue common to territories with strong economic activity and international appeal. Nevertheless, he stressed that this reality requires responsible decision-making, long-term planning and close institutional coordination, rather than simplified or short-term responses.
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Ibiza prioritises housing access for residents and promotes planned, data-driven growth
He outlined a planning model that clearly distinguishes between housing intended to support permanent residency and specific solutions designed to address defined labour needs. Among the proposed measures, he pointed to the development of dedicated accommodation for public-sector employees and tailored options for seasonal workers, aiming to prevent additional pressure on the general housing market. According to the president, the challenge lies not in denying Ibiza’s economic reality, but in managing it in an orderly and balanced manner.
Marí also emphasised that housing policy must be grounded in technical rigour and legal certainty, underlining the importance of respecting property rights while expanding housing supply through improved land-use planning. He called for stronger cooperation between the Island Council, local municipalities and the regional government, as well as for state-level measures that take into account the specific conditions of island territories.
In addition, he stressed the need to encourage private-sector involvement as an essential part of the solution, noting that the housing challenge cannot be addressed solely through subsidised housing schemes. Among future actions, he highlighted the promotion of price-limited free-market housing for residents on developable land and transitional areas, under clearly defined planning criteria.
In closing, Vicent Marí stated that housing should be discussed with calm, realism and reliable data, warning against reducing a complex issue to a single cause. He concluded that while there are no quick fixes, there is sufficient political commitment and technical capacity to move toward a balanced housing model that allows Ibiza to remain a viable place to live for its resident population.