San Sebastián is a city to fall in love with, but let’s be honest: finding affordable housing can feel like an impossible mission. If you live here or dream of doing so, this concern surely sounds familiar.
But don’t panic! There is a fundamental tool created by and for the people of Donostia: Etxegintza San Sebastian. At Descubre Donostia, we not only show you the most beautiful corners of the city, but we also provide you with the most useful information for living here. And today, we bring you the most complete guide to understand what it is, how it works, and how it can help you get your home in Donostia.
What Exactly is Etxegintza San Sebastian?
Etxegintza, formally Donostiako Etxegintza / Vivienda de San Sebastián, is a Local Public Business Entity wholly owned by the San Sebastián City Council. Founded in 1991, it was born with a very clear mission: to facilitate access to decent and adequate housing for the citizens of San Sebastian, especially for those groups with the greatest difficulties in accessing the open market.
It’s not just a “city hall real estate agency.” It is the engine of the city’s social housing policy. Since its creation, it has been responsible for promoting, managing, and allocating thousands of protected housing units (VPO), both for purchase and rent, transforming entire neighborhoods and giving an opportunity to thousands of families.
Main Objectives: Beyond Building Houses
The work of Etxegintza goes far beyond laying bricks. Its objectives focus on providing a comprehensive response to the city’s housing needs:
- Promote Protected Housing: Its best-known function is the promotion of protected housing (VPO) for ownership and cooperatives, as well as price-capped housing.
- Foster Affordable Rent: They manage a public stock of social rental housing and develop programs to mobilize vacant private housing towards safe and affordable rent.
- Refurbishment: They offer grants and manage programs for the refurbishment of buildings and homes, improving energy efficiency, accessibility, and the conservation of the existing housing stock.
- Land Management: They are in charge of managing municipal land intended for the construction of social housing.
The Key Service: How Can Etxegintza Help You?
This is where theory turns into practice. Etxegintza offers several paths to housing, each designed for different profiles and needs.
Purchase of Protected Housing (VPO)
This is the crown jewel. Buying a VPO through Etxegintza means acquiring a new home at a price significantly lower than the market rate. These developments are allocated through a public lottery among those registered in the applicant registry.
Social Rent and Affordable Rent
For those who cannot or do not want to buy, renting is the solution. Etxegintza manages a stock of rental housing with limited rents, aimed at people with low incomes. Additionally, through programs like Alokabide, they act as intermediaries to make renting a private home safer and more affordable for both the tenant and the owner.
Special-Purpose Accommodations (Alojamientos Dotacionales)
This is a more flexible and temporary housing solution. These are apartments for specific groups, such as young people under 35 or the elderly. They are allocated for a specific period (a maximum of 5 years for young people) and with a very affordable rent, facilitating emancipation or providing an adapted solution.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register and Complete the Process at Etxegintza
Now, for the important part. What do you need to do? The process is rigorous but clear. We’ll explain it step by step.
Step 1: Meet the General Requirements
First of all, you must ensure you meet the conditions to be an applicant. Although each development may have specific requirements, the general ones are usually:
- Residency (Empadronamiento): Be registered as a resident in San Sebastián, with a minimum period of residency, usually 3 to 5 years.
- Income: Your weighted annual income must be within a specific range. Generally, for VPO, it is between €9,000 and €50,000. These scales are updated, so you should always check the specific call for applications.
- No Property Ownership: You cannot own a freehold property, with some exceptions (separation, non-adapted housing, etc.).
- Registration: You must be registered in the Basque Government’s Housing Applicants Registry (Etxebide), as Etxegintza coordinates its processes with them.
Expert Tip: Don’t wait for a development that interests you to be announced. The first step is always to register. Have all your documentation (ID, tax return, family record book, residency certificate) ready to speed up the process.
Step 2: Registration in the Registry
Registration is your gateway. You must register as a housing applicant with Etxegintza. This can be done in several ways:
- Online: Through the official Etxegintza website, using a digital identification system (like BakQ or an electronic ID). This is the fastest and most recommended way.
- In-person: By scheduling an appointment at their offices at Calle Mari, 1 (next to the City Hall).
Once registered, you will become part of a database. When a new development arises (either for sale or rent), a period will open for those already registered to specifically sign up for that lottery.
Step 3: Lotteries and Allocation
The allocation of most homes is done through a public lottery before a notary. It does not work on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone who signs up for a development and meets the requirements has the same chances.
The lottery establishes a pre-selection order. If you are chosen, Etxegintza will contact you to submit all the documentation proving you meet the requirements. If everything is correct, congratulations! If not, they will move to the next person on the list.
Etxegintza Developments: Past, Present, and Future
Etxegintza has been key in the development of new areas of the city. Neighborhoods like Riberas de Loiola or Txomin Enea would not be what they are without its protected housing developments.
Currently, activity is focused on developing the remaining available areas. In recent years, long-awaited developments have been delivered in Txomin Enea, and projects have been launched in areas like Illarra (Ibaeta).
And the future? The plans of the City Council and Etxegintza include continuing to develop pending urban areas, such as the Urumea river plain or the Loiola barracks, although the latter is a very long-term project.
Did you know… The design of social housing in San Sebastián has improved in quality and sustainability. New developments often include high energy ratings, quality materials, and functional designs that have little to envy of private housing. This is something that can be seen in neighborhoods like the Old Town, where renovation is key to maintaining its essence and improving habitability.
Expert Tips for Successfully Navigating Etxegintza
- Stay Informed: Information is power. Subscribe to the newsletters from Etxegintza and the City Council. Follow their official channels. The calls for applications have strict deadlines, and you don’t want to miss them.
- Patience is Your Ally: Getting a protected home is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take years from when you register until you get a home. Don’t get discouraged.
- Understand the Scoring System: For some grants or types of rent, a point system (baremo) is used. Learn about what factors score highest (length of time on the list, number of family members, income, etc.) to know your real situation.
- Always Check the Official Source: Although guides like this are very useful, information about requirements, dates, and developments can change. The Etxegintza San Sebastian website and its offices are always the most reliable source.
Where to find reliable information?
- Official Website:
www.etxegintza.eus - Offices: Calle Mari, 1, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastián.
- Citizen Information Phone: 010
Conclusion: Your Ally for Living in Donostia
Living in San Sebastián is a privilege, and Etxegintza works to make it a more accessible right. It is a robust, transparent, and fundamental entity for the social balance of our city. If you are looking for protected housing in San Sebastián or social rent in Donostia, you now have all the keys to start your journey. The process requires patience and being well-informed, but the reward is huge: having your own home in one of the most incredible cities in the world.
Do you have any experience with Etxegintza you’d like to share? Any tips to add? Leave us a comment and help other locals in their search!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
