Housing as the Fifth Pillar of the Welfare State: Why Spain Needs Structural Reform

Abstract

Spain’s ongoing housing crisis reflects the cumulative effects of fragmented governance, underinvestment, and financialization. Despite recent reforms, structural challenges persist, threatening affordability and social inclusion. This article diagnoses the roots of Spain’s housing failures and explores pathways for systemic reform, arguing that housing must be reframed as the fifth pillar of the welfare state. Drawing on international models and political economy insights, it proposes measures to realign market incentives with social needs, strengthen public leadership, and expand innovative housing models. It concludes that only a long-term, coordinated strategy can ensure equitable access to housing in Spain.