Provivienda is a private, non-profit organization established in Madrid in 1989 that focuses on improving access to and retention of adequate housing for people facing residential exclusion, including young people, women, migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. Though headquartered in Madrid, Provivienda also operates in Barcelona, where it has played a significant role in numerous housing inclusion initiatives.
Since its founding, Provivienda has managed over 67,000 homes and supported more than 155,000 individuals. Today, the organization employs more than 500 professionals and is recognized as Spain’s largest provider of social housing within the Housing First model—a methodology prioritizing permanent housing for homeless individuals and other excluded populations.
One notable project is the Hábitat program, launched in 2016 in partnership with HOGAR SI. This initiative is active in several cities, including Barcelona, and currently manages more than 400 Housing First units, offering rental housing obtained largely from the private market. Provivienda secures contracts with individual landlords, providing guarantees and mediation, and supports tenants with social services ranging from legal advice to community integration.
Provivienda’s funding comes predominantly from public sources, with tenders typically spanning three to five years. The organization also conducts research, such as its 2020 study on racial discrimination in Spain’s rental market. By combining housing management, direct support, and advocacy, Provivienda has become a reference for local councils and other entities aiming to enhance housing access for socially marginalized groups.