David Lucas, Secretary of State for Housing, dies at the age of 58

David Lucas, Spain's State Secretary for Housing, has died at the age of 58. The government announced his death on Monday, following his announcement on June 30 that he was stepping away due to a "cancerous process." Lucas had been serving in this role since the creation of the Ministry of Housing earlier this year, a move prompted by the housing crisis facing Spain. Born in Madrid in 1968, Lucas earned a law degree from Carlos III University. He served as mayor of Móstoles from 2015 to 2018 before taking on the role of State Secretary for Housing. His extensive experience in local governance and his academic background in law and public policy made him a key figure in implementing national housing policies at the municipal level. Lucas played a crucial role in facilitating the new public housing project known as Operación Campamento in the Latina district. His close working relationship with José Luis Martínez Almeida’s team helped secure the agreement for the project. This initiative will see Casa 47, the main state-owned housing company, build its first public housing complex in Madrid on former military land, comprising 10,700 units. Under Lucas’s leadership, the Ministry of Housing, led by Minister Isabel Rodríguez, launched Casa 47 and finalized a National Plan aimed at increasing investment in housing in collaboration with regional governments up to 2030. Before the establishment of the Ministry of Housing, Lucas held the position of General Secretary for Urban Planning and Housing within the Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda. A long-time member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and a prominent figure in public administration, Lucas began his political career as a councilor in Getafe from 1999 to 2007, followed by four years in Madrid. His academic credentials include specialization in Public Law at Complutense University and a master's degree in Territorial and Urban Policy from Carlos III University, with a focus on urban management. He received recognition for his outstanding academic performance and an extraordinary award. Lucas taught Financial and Tax Law and History of Law at Carlos III University, and later became a professor of Financial Law, Constitutional Law, Political Science, and Public Administration at Nebrija University and Complutense University. He also served as spokesperson for the PSOE in Madrid City Council, deputy mayor of Getafe, president of the Spanish Delegation at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, and president of the International Relations Commission of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. Additionally, he was responsible for implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) in Spanish municipalities. Lucas was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Cities and Local Governments United, the Executive Committee and the Executive Board of the OECD Interparliamentary Network, and the Steering Committee of the European Council of Municipalities and Regions. In local affairs, he presided over the Southern Municipal Consortium, served as vice-president of the Madrid Municipal Federation, and chaired the Finance Commission of this federation. Minister Isabel Rodríguez expressed her grief on social media, stating she still hoped it was a bad dream. She described Lucas as a colleague with whom she shared intense work over the past three years and said she would miss him greatly. Colleagues and members of his team described Lucas as a kind and hardworking individual who got along well with others. They noted his serious nature and effective negotiation skills, adding that it was easy to develop a fondness for him.