Benijófar Council has approved a pioneering initiative designed to help young people gain access to housing in the municipality of around 3,600 residents. In recent years, rising land prices driven by demand for second homes from central European buyers have made it difficult for local young people to purchase their first property.

The project will see 30 semi-detached houses built on a 4,153 square metre plot of publicly owned land on Calle Formentera, in the town centre. The land will be divided into 120 square metre plots and granted under a 75-year concession, meaning the council retains ownership. Once the concession ends, the homes will revert to the local authority, although renewal may be considered.

Homes of around 100 square metres, built over two floors, are expected to cost about 150,000 euros. This is significantly below market rates, where similar properties nearby sell for around 350,000 euros and land alone can reach 500 euros per square metre. Successful applicants must finance and build the properties themselves, following a council-approved architectural design.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 and have been registered as residents for at least 18 years. Additional points will be awarded for longer residency, having dependent children or not owning another property. The project will now go to public consultation for 30 days before the tender process begins.