ABSTRACT
Spain has many Southern European attributes, as well as specific characteristics that make it unique. The impact of these peculiarities on housing systems and social transformation has been widely studied (Cortés, 1998; Taltavull, 2000; Allen et al., 2004; Bonvalet et al., 2009; Pareja-Eastaway and Sánchez-Martínez, 2009). Certainly, some factors that involve difficulties in accessing housing and gender have contributed to the singularity of Spain. Formal equality between genders was achieved later in Spain than in other European countries. Since 1975, efforts have been made to avoid any discrimination in official regulations, documents and norms. Gender equality now exists legally and politically. However, in other spheres of activity, especially in labour markets and in certain social behaviour, Spanish women still fight against direct or indirect discrimination (Hidalgo et al., 2007). A new Ministry of Equality was created in 2004 to prevent gender inequality and to promote positive discrimination.1
