Imagine finally finding an apartment in Ibiza at 1,900 euros a month, only to be asked for 14,000 euros upfront by the landlord. This is the reality for many essential workers on the island where the soaring demand for housing outstrips the limited availability.
Alicia Bocuñano, a single mother and taxi driver, faced homelessness, sleeping in her car and then a tent with her son, before settling in an informal village of tents and campers on the outskirts of Ibiza Town. Known as Can Rova, this camp housed around 280 people this summer before being cleared by the police due to zoning disputes.
With the rise of remote work and short-term rentals diminishing the housing supply, the situation on Ibiza has escalated from a seasonal strain to a structural crisis. Booming tourism and a lack of affordable housing have left many residents, including nurses, teachers, and police officers, struggling to find a place to live.
The solution, experts say, lies in prioritizing public housing for essential workers and implementing stricter regulations on short-term rentals. Public intervention is needed to address the high cost of land and soaring property prices, ensuring a sustainable future for those who call Ibiza home.