The Ministry of Housing has responded to the criticisms from Junts and has denied that the two housing decrees that will be voted on this Friday in Congress have negative effects on the market or family inheritances. The Department emphasizes that the texts "incorporate demands required by Junts on many occasions" and that several of the requests made by the independentist formation have been addressed.
In a note sent late Thursday, Housing responds to the "aspects raised by Junts" to justify their rejection of the decrees and denies that the proposed measures "are detrimental to the housing supply." It emphasizes that the proposal "presents tax incentives to mobilize the housing that is being held and penalties for empty properties or those dedicated to non-residential uses," with the aim of bringing more apartments to the market.
The Ministry also highlights that "in no case is the inheritance of families put at risk" and defends that the wording is a "very clear" text regarding "the right of first refusal and retraction by tenants, which only applies in cases of sales," thus limiting the scope of these tools.
Furthermore, the statement specifies that the definition of "vulture fund," "is inspired by Belgian legislation and has proven useful," and recalls that several of the claims made by Carles Puigdemont's party have been incorporated into the decree: "Compensations in case of suspension are mandatory on the part of the administration."
From the team led by Isabel Rodríguez, the focus is also placed on the impact of the TU CASA program. The Ministry maintains that "there will be more people who can access home ownership thanks to the TU CASA program," promoted by the Department, which foresees "loans of up to 50,000 euros without interest or fees to facilitate access to the first home for the entire population, without age requirements."
In the final part of the statement, Housing appeals to the responsibility of the parliamentary groups and urges them to send "a message to the Spanish population that felt shame upon seeing how in our country a unscrupulous vulture SME could evict Maricarmen from her home."
The Ministry also issues a direct warning to the Popular Party, reproaching its position and demanding it to "make an exercise of responsibility" by supporting "measures that benefit the whole population." And it concludes with a political message in the background: "This Friday is about choosing between speculation and the lives of people, and if the main opposition party chooses speculation, it will be disqualified from representing the middle and working class of this country."