Next Generation Funds for Housing Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of housing in Spain now presents many more facilities thanks to the Next Generation Funds from the European Union. This package of economic stimuli is intended to contribute to recovery in a post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario. In addition, the European Commission wants to shape a more sustainable, energy-efficient, more resilient, and more digital continent.

Next Generation Funds for housing rehabilitation

These funds will allow many old buildings in the country to renovate their facilities. Mainly, residential communities and other private or public buildings will be able to modernize. They will do so thanks to rehabilitation aid from the European funds .

In this way, they will have the opportunity to equip themselves with new sustainable electrical or gas facilities or self-consumption solutions, for example. Other options include installing controlled mechanical ventilation systems, repairing facades or making their spaces more accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Indeed, ventilation systems are key to the future and present of construction, also in our legislation as indicated in sub-typology 2.4, Point 1 of the decree published in the BOE regarding the improvement of energy efficiency. The document prioritizes the reduction of energy consumption of thermal installations for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and the production of domestic hot water among other aspects.

Spain has already begun to receive part of the 140 billion euros that it will have from this Next Generation. Of these, a part has already begun to be applied through various programs and subsidies.

The estimate made by the European authorities themselves is that around 120,000 housing units will benefit annually from this plan. With this, they seek to advance the goal of decarbonizing the economy with the horizon set for 2050.

Given that the European housing stock is largely deteriorated and old, actions aimed at modernization are necessary. Among all member countries, the total number of homes that will benefit from these funds is estimated to be around 10 million over a period of 30 years. Given the scale of this initiative, the European public sector seeks the collaboration of the private productive fabric to facilitate and expedite the process.

Rehabilitation and energy efficiency

The objectives of the Next Generation Funds are varied. They include specific actions for the following.

Promote employment

Aid is proposed to generate quality and stable jobs in all EU countries. Thanks to the rehabilitation of housing

Modernize the economy and increase productivity

To do this, the acquisition of computer equipment and the use of new information and communication technologies connected to the Internet will be encouraged.

Reduce gender and social gaps

The European authorities are aware of inequalities and want to contribute to building a fairer society in a context of equal opportunities.

Boost the green economy

As part of this objective to boost the green economy through the rehabilitation of housing financial aid for the renovation of homes is being proposed. This aligns with the urban and rural agenda, which aims to combat depopulation in rural areas. It also seeks to develop and modernize the agricultural sector to make it more productive and sustainable.

In this context, the initiative called Renovate, included in the mentioned plan, aims to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. This is complemented by promoting universal accessibility, conservation, and the digitalization of buildings and homes.

What to do if we want to access these funds to modernize our house and achieve greater energy efficiency? Many municipalities and autonomous communities are channeling these subsidies and can provide information on the subject. There are also private entities that can do so.

In the post-health and economic crisis scenario triggered by the coronavirus , opportunities like this have emerged. Housing rehabilitation and renovation for businesses and individuals have significant support. It is time to increase comfort and well-being for homes, with initiatives such as controlled mechanical ventilation.