Homeless crisis worsens as eight people endure freezing conditions in a Baix Guinardó parking lot this week.
The stark reality emerged during Barcelona’s annual street count, revealing individuals sleeping on mattresses with minimal protection against the cold.
Volunteers from the Arrels Foundation discovered the group in a car park on Lepant street.
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Consequently, they documented four makeshift tents and four people sleeping completely exposed on mattresses. “Do you know how cold it gets? Some people think two blankets are enough, but that’s not true,” one woman told volunteers, requesting anonymity.
Homeless Crisis Worsens Following Recent Council Evictions
The parking lot discovery comes amid what Arrels director Beatriz Fernández describes as “considerable movement in public spaces.” Furthermore, she notes that several evictions from parks and other areas since June have displaced people to new outdoor locations.
“What we want to see [with the count] is precisely this. Where do evicted people go?” Fernández questioned before the night’s survey began. The city council’s own November census, meanwhile, shows 1,784 people living on Barcelona’s streets—a 12.84% increase from October.
This situation reflects broader housing pressures in the region. For instance, many residents are seeking alternatives as Barcelona rental prices continue to surge, pushing vulnerable individuals toward homelessness.
The woman in the parking lot expressed particular concern for elderly residents. “If you’re thrown out of your house at 80, where do you go?” she lamented. She added that authorities seem to ignore “real problems” while repaving Via Laietana repeatedly.
Over 600 volunteers participated in the meticulous street count, coordinated by Arrels. The organization’s systematic approach aims to understand displacement patterns following council interventions in areas like Joan Miró park and the old Sagrera station.
Volunteers Rocío and Miquel, covering Baix Guinardó, found their first person sleeping in a parking lot entrance around 11 PM. The man slept on cardboard with a shopping bag as a pillow, wearing a coat but no blanket. Therefore, they logged his location without disturbing him, following strict protocols.
The full results of the count will take days to compile. However, the early findings suggest the homeless crisis worsens despite municipal actions. The parking lot residents’ makeshift arrangements highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions, not just temporary clearances.
According to El Periódico’s report, the city’s approach faces growing criticism. The visible suffering in Baix Guinardó underscores how Barcelona’s homeless crisis worsens with each winter, demanding more effective intervention strategies.
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