Badalona homeless crisis reaches critical levels as former rough sleeper Juan Manuel leads emotional tour of his former sleeping spots.

The 52-year-old former municipal cleaning worker spent three years living on streets, beaches, and abandoned buildings before finding housing through local charities.

Badalona Homeless Crisis Deepens Amid Rising Numbers

Juan Manuel’s story emerged during a guided walk organised by the Taula Sense Llar de Badalona platform.

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The initiative aims to highlight the growing homelessness problem in the city. Furthermore, recent counts reveal 110 people currently sleep rough in Badalona’s streets, while 214 others use social service resources.

The situation has deteriorated significantly since 2016, when only 39 people were recorded as homeless. Consequently, local organisations have intensified their awareness campaigns, including placing large stickers at metro entrances displaying the alarming statistics.

Meanwhile, Juan Manuel described the psychological toll of street life. “You sleep but don’t rest,” he explained. “You have nothing, yet you still fear being robbed.” His first night homeless involved an eight-hour search for help that ended with him sleeping in a park until a rat woke him by crawling on his head.

Municipal Withdrawal Compounds Housing Challenges

The Badalona city government recently withdrew from the Taula Sense Llar platform. Municipal sources claimed they maintain updated homelessness records and regularly inform the Generalitat. However, this departure coincided with the controversial closure of Can Bofí Vell, the city’s only municipal shelter, in April 2024.

Juan Manuel and other homeless individuals camped outside the town hall in protest. “That cash machine door was my bed,” he recalled during the tour’s stop at Plaza de la Vila. He noted that while cleaning staff watered the square nightly, they respectfully avoided directly spraying the rough sleepers.

The housing situation in Barcelona continues to present challenges across the region. According to recent urban development reports, infrastructure projects often overlook immediate housing needs.

Community Support Provides Lifeline

Juan Manuel eventually found housing through Fundació Llegat Roca i Pi, one of the Taula’s member organisations. He now shares a flat and understands the value of support. “If you don’t ask for help, you’ll always hit rock bottom, even when you think it’s impossible,” he advised.

During his homelessness, he used supermarket lockers to store belongings when municipal facilities like Espai Arnús were closed. He regularly shared excess food with other rough sleepers, building community among those facing similar struggles.

The tour concluded at Folre, a day centre managed by Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Assistencials. The warmth inside contrasted sharply with the autumn chill, symbolising the refuge such spaces provide. Juan Manuel’s glasses fogged upon entry, physically demonstrating the transition from harsh street conditions to safety.

This Badalona homeless crisis story highlights how community organisations fill gaps left by reduced municipal involvement. Moreover, it underscores the human cost when shelter systems become fragmented and underfunded.

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