It all started with the request that the rector of the University of Almería, Carmelo Rodríguez, made to the Minister of Inclusion and Social Security, José Luis Escrivá, to use a disused Social Security building for training and entrepreneurship activities.
The request was perfectly logical, but it ran into administrative difficulties due to restrictive legislation regarding the transfer of buildings owned by Social Security. And there are not few properties. An internal audit of the General Treasury of Social Security located a total of no less than 1,028 empty properties, which include buildings, lots, premises, rustic farms, warehouses and garages.
A heterogeneous heritage, distributed throughout Spain and underused, with extra expenses for its maintenance, and sometimes also deteriorating the urban environment.
That is why a decree approved in January of this year expedited the assignment and assignment of Social Security buildings that are not being used for other destinations for public utility purposes. Since then there are already more than 20 empty buildings that have been attached to town halls, autonomous communities and other public administrations. This includes the University of Almería, which in June assumed the assignment for a period of 30 years of the desired building in the center of the city, in which it will have to invest more than one million euros in works. Previously, this building housed offices of Imserso and the National Social Security Institute, but since 2020 it has been empty.
Another unused property in Pamplona has been attached for a 10-year term to the Government of Navarra, which may use it to house a care service for minors who are victims of sexual violence. The premises, unoccupied since July 2022, are located near the Palace of Justice of Navarra and will be used to create a protective environment, physically separated from the judicial facilities, expected to be ready by the end of the year.
Two “houses of the sea” have also been ceded to the municipalities of Llançà and Camariñas. The one in Llançà has 578 square meters, and will be used for activities related to the fishing sector, as well as housing the tourist office. The plenary session of the City Council requested it in April and the Ministry of Inclusion agreed to it in July for a period of 30 years. In the case of the Camelle sea house, in Camariñas, there are 443 square meters for cultural and educational activities. Another location was also ceded to the Inca City Council for socio-sanitary, cultural and social services.
The list is completed with properties ceded to the autonomous communities of Madrid, Valencia and Extremadura, to the municipalities of Santiago and Huesca, among many others, up to a total of 21 in recent months. The Ministry of Inclusion has contacted the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) to publicize the legislative change that streamlines these procedures, and to mobilize potential interested municipalities.
The new regulations extend the assignment of Social Security real estate to other administrations or public law entities, without losing ownership of the premises. Processing times are reduced and the procedures for managing use, which must be of public utility, are also streamlined.
