HMB has now published the specific clauses for the procedure to select and contract a private partner in a joint metropolitan venture for the construction and management of affordable housing, promoted by the AMB and Barcelona City Council.

Private companies interested in the selection process to become a partner have until 10 September 2020 to apply. The first provision of capital to enable the venture to start will be in the first quarter of 2021.The new competition rules are available here.

The tendering process to find a private partner will be negotiated with publicity, allowing greater flexibility in terms of capital and time frames, at the same time enabling direct negotiation with the candidates. The first tendering process was unawarded.

The initial contribution of 12 million euros from the private partner remains unchanged and matches to the 12 million to be contributed by administrations. As from the second stage, private partners will have to offer capital as established by the specific clauses. The overall capital to be invested remains unchanged and ranges from 57.8 million to 103.7 million euros.

Goal: 4,500 affordable homes

With the private partner entering and the venture getting under way, the idea is to be able to award and resolve projects early in 2021. The total number of homes due to be constructed is 4,500, providing housing for between 11,000 and 12,000 people.

The sites provided by Barcelona City Council involve the ceding of usage rights, meaning they continue to be publicly owned. This change of model means the land is not sold, but instead made available for public-private cooperation to create affordable housing.

The four development stages for the housing projects have been kept. The first stage will see 640 homes built on the following sites:

• Two sites in La Marina del Prat Vermell, with a capacity for 125 homes
• Two sites in La Sagrera, with a capacity for 125 homes
• One site at Les Casernes de Sant Andreu, with a capacity for 112 homes
• One site at the Saló Central de Sant Boi de Llobregat, with a capacity for 110 homes
• Two sites on the Sastre de Montgat hill, with a capacity for 130 homes
• One site at the Catalana de Sant Adrià del Besòs, with a capacity for 57 homes

The second stage also has eight designated sites, with a capacity for 1,476 homes as follows:

• Renfe Colorantes, in Sant Andreu: 124 homes
• Poblenou: 96 homes in Carrer del Marroc, 75 homes in Carrer d’Àvila and 34 homes in Carrer de Zamora
• Cobega sector: 134 homes
• Catalana de Sant Adrià del Besòs: 57 homes
• Can Bagaria/Alstom, in Cornellà: 66 homes
• Les Guardioles, in Molins de Rei: two developments of 40 and 36 homes
• Josep Pla Sant Lloc, in Sant Andreu de la Barca: 37 homes
• Baldiri Figueres, in Sant Boi de Llobregat: 55 homes
• Llevant sector, in Viladecans: 82 homes

The sites for the third and fourth stages have not yet been designated.