The local council in Benijófar has launched a pioneering initiative to combat depopulation and assist residents in accessing the property market by offering plots of land at no cost for the construction of self-built homes. This scheme is specifically designed to support young people and families who wish to establish their permanent residence in the municipality but have found it difficult to do so due to rising market prices.
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet several strict criteria. Firstly, they must have been registered on the municipal padrón in Benijófar for a minimum period, typically established at five years, to ensure the benefit reaches long-term local residents. Furthermore, applicants must not already own any other property or have any ownership rights over residential buildings.
The initiative also sets financial boundaries, requiring that the annual income of the household does not exceed certain limits. Once the land is granted, the beneficiaries are under a legal obligation to begin construction within a specified timeframe and must commit to living in the property as their primary and permanent home for at least ten years. This prevents the land from being used for speculative purposes or as secondary holiday homes.
The Mayor of Benijófar highlighted that this move is essential for the social and economic future of the village. By providing the land for free, the council significantly reduces the overall cost of building a home, making it a viable option for those who would otherwise be priced out of the Vega Baja region. Applications must be submitted through the town hall, where a committee will evaluate each case based on a points-based system that prioritises those with children or specific social needs.
