Video: @oxfamintermon / IG
High Housing Costs Push Workers into Poverty
On Tuesday 20th October 2026, Oxfam Intermón published a study showing that 28.3% of employed people living in rented accommodation in Catalonia fall below the poverty line after paying monthly rent. This means that for almost three out of every ten workers, having a job is not enough to escape poverty. The cost of housing is a primary driver of working poverty, particularly affecting tenants in sectors such as cleaning and hospitality, and households with minors. According to the report, rental costs leave many without sufficient income to maintain a decent standard of living.
770,000 Workers Nationwide Affected
While the focus in the ARA report is on Catalonia, the broader findings from Oxfam Intermón apply across Spain. Nationally, housing costs push 770,000 working people into poverty each month after rent is paid. These individuals remain employed but live below the poverty threshold once housing is accounted for. Young people are especially vulnerable. One in three young renters is at risk of poverty due to housing costs. A typical example cited by the report is a single parent earning €1,500 per month in an office job, paying €800 for a small flat on the outskirts of Barcelona or Madrid.
The data shows that work no longer guarantees a way out of poverty when housing costs are factored in.
The study underscores the growing disconnect between wages and rental prices, with tenants three times more likely to fall into poverty than those with mortgages. Oxfam Intermón calls for urgent policy action to expand social and affordable housing and regulate rental markets.
What This Means for Residents
For renters in Catalonia and across Spain, the report confirms a daily reality: income from full-time work is often insufficient to cover basic housing. Those in low-wage service jobs or temporary contracts are most at risk. The findings come amid rising inflation and slowing investment, further straining household budgets. Oxfam has launched a campaign urging the Spanish government and regional authorities to commit to a national housing strategy that prioritises the right to adequate housing. More information is available on the Oxfam Intermón website.
Reported by en.ara.cat, ground.news, cmmedia.es, elpais.com, MARÍA HERRANZ.
