The Badalona migrant relocation process is now officially complete, according to the Generalitat de Catalunya. The regional government announced on Wednesday that it has successfully concluded relocations for migrants evicted from the former B9 institute. For over a month, dozens of individuals had been sleeping rough under the C-31 bridge, on the boundary with Sant Adrià de Besòs, following their eviction in December. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing clearance of the Badalona homeless settlement under the C-31 bridge.
While the Badalona City Council estimated that 59 people were sleeping under the infrastructure just ten days ago, the regional government asserts that the camp has now been cleared of the specific group originating from the B9 site.
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Government Declares Badalona Migrant Relocation Phase Complete
Mònica Martínez Bravo, the Catalan Minister of Social Rights, confirmed that the remaining 30 individuals from the B9 group who were still at the camp have been temporarily rehoused in recent days. By last Friday, social entities reported that barely a dozen people remained as resources became available.
“With this action, we consider this phase of relocation completed,” Martínez Bravo stated. “We are aware that there are no longer any people related to B9 there.”
According to official figures, the Generalitat, alongside social entities and local administration, is currently assisting more than 180 people affected by the December 17 eviction. Of these, over 120 are currently staying in accommodation financed or activated by the regional government.
The Minister emphasised that responsibility now shifts back to the local authority. “From now on, the situation involves the Badalona City Council since, as in all municipalities, competence regarding homelessness lies with the town councils,” she added. This specific instance of homelessness is set against the backdrop of Catalonia’s worsening housing crisis, which poses a significant challenge for municipalities across the region.
Activists Dispute the ‘All Clear’ for Badalona Relocation
Despite the government’s announcement, local advocacy groups paint a different picture on the ground. Carles Sagués, spokesperson for the platform Badalona Acull, told El Periódico that approximately ten people from the original B9 group remain under the bridge.
Furthermore, Sagués noted that an additional twenty people are sleeping under the infrastructure. These individuals are not from the former institute but are long-term homeless residents of Badalona. He warned that clearing the encampment would merely displace the problem.
“When the tents disappear, they will inevitably return to those places in the city where they previously spent the night,” Sagués explained. However, he acknowledged that an “open channel of dialogue” remains with the Generalitat.
Neighbourhood Tensions and Future Steps
The government’s announcement follows rising tensions in the adjacent Sant Roc neighbourhood. On Tuesday, approximately 70 residents blocked the C-31 motorway for nearly two hours. They protested against perceived insecurity, which they attributed to the encampment. Neighbourhood associations claim the demographic of the camp had shifted recently, becoming more conflictive after many of the original families were rehoused.
Looking ahead, the Department of Social Rights has indicated flexibility regarding the duration of temporary accommodation. While initially set for two months, Martínez Bravo stated they would “try to make it flexible” for those needing more time. Therefore, the focus must now be on social accompaniment and helping the displaced residents return to normal life in Badalona. Such support is crucial, given the scale of the housing crisis affecting the metropolitan area, which leaves many vulnerable.
“We are aware that they are residents of Badalona, they have their lives there, and the vast majority want to return to carry out their life project,” the Minister concluded.
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