Barcelona’s Generalitat faces criticism for pursuing evictions against two vulnerable families excluded from emergency housing assistance. Seventy-two-year-old Josefa faces her fourth eviction attempt this Wednesday from her Besòs i Maresme home. Meanwhile, Chaymae, a 23-year-old single mother, battles to keep her Verneda flat despite domestic violence survivor status. Both women hold official vulnerability certificates yet remain ineligible for Barcelona’s emergency housing mesa.
Josefa’s Eight-Year Housing Battle
Josefa wears black mourning clothes since her husband Antonio’s death in June. The couple had lived nearly eight years in their Pau Street property. Furthermore, they paid €3,000 for keys when the flat belonged to Santander Bank.
Catalonia’s Housing Agency bought the building approximately one year later. Consequently, eviction proceedings began in 2020 despite the property being empty originally. Moreover, Josefa now survives on €1,000 widow’s pension while caring for her dependent son.
Domestic Violence Survivor’s Plight
Chaymae faces similar exclusion from Barcelona’s emergency housing system. She entered her current home two and a half years ago with her former partner. Additionally, the flat stood empty and secured when she moved in.
Domestic violence soon emerged within the relationship. However, her initial complaint wasn’t admitted through Barcelona’s courts. Nevertheless, she eventually secured custody of their three-year-old son and a restraining order.
The young mother now receives €400 guaranteed income plus €400 as a violence survivor. Meanwhile, private landlords consistently reject her rental applications. Therefore, she remains trapped in her current situation despite the flat’s serious damp problems.
Administrative Deadlock Continues
Both families remain excluded from Barcelona’s emergency housing mesa. The Housing Agency considers them ineligible for public housing while occupying other agency properties. However, officials also prevent them from regularising their current situations.
This creates impossible circumstances for vulnerable residents. They cannot access private market housing without contracts or guarantors. Additionally, they get barred from public housing alternatives despite their documented vulnerability.
The neighbourhood housing union condemns this punitive approach. They argue it creates irrational double punishment for people simply seeking shelter. Moreover, they demand the Generalitat halt both eviction processes immediately.
Barcelona’s housing crisis hits vulnerable residents hardest through these administrative catch-22 situations. The Generalitat continues pursuing evictions against certified vulnerable families. Meanwhile, excluded households face imminent homelessness without viable alternatives. Housing advocates urge policy revisions before Wednesday’s scheduled eviction proceedings.
Join our thriving WhatsApp community with over 20+ interest groups
