The Socialist Housing Union of Catalonia occupied the Barcelona headquarters of the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) on Tuesday afternoon. Around 30 activists and residents protested the impending evictions of tenants from Bloc Papallona in the Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample district.
Corina Cost, a resident of Bloc Papallona since 2008, faces an eviction order for 29 April. Dutch investment fund New Amsterdam Developers (NAD) acquired the property. They then requested the forced eviction of tenants, including Ms Cost and Marga Aguilar.
Ms Cost expressed her distress, stating, "We demand that they leave us alone, or that they renew our contracts." She added that she feels very uneasy and vulnerable.
Protesters entered the PSC premises on Consell de Cent peacefully. They chanted slogans such as "Speculators out of our neighbourhoods" and "We will not tolerate any more evictions." The occupation lasted approximately 20 minutes before demonstrators moved to Plaça de Tetuan, according to PSC Barcelona headquarters. There, the Mossos d'Esquadra identified several participants.
Ombudsman to Mediate Eviction Dispute
The occupation coincided with the Barcelona Ombudsman's decision to mediate the conflict. The Ombudsman accepted the request from the Socialist Housing Union of Catalonia. This aims to open a dialogue channel with the property owner. The goal is to prevent the evictions, similar to a recent success.
The union seeks an immediate halt to both Ms Cost's eviction on 29 April and Ms Aguilar's, scheduled for 29 May. A representative, Casassas, stated, "We want a solution and for a mediation and negotiation process to open, and for the union not to be left out." The investment fund intends to convert the flats into room rentals after the current contracts expire.
Broader Context of Housing Struggles
The Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample district is home to over 58,000 residents. It has experienced significant housing pressure in recent years. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between investment funds and long-term tenants in Barcelona. The city faces a persistent housing crisis. Activists frequently protest against speculative practices.
The Barcelona Ombudsman previously mediated successfully in a similar case. This involved the Sant Agustí, 14 block in the Gràcia district. That intervention prevented evictions there weeks ago. This precedent offers hope for the Bloc Papallona residents.
The involvement of the Barcelona Ombudsman marks a crucial step in the dispute. All parties now await the outcome of the mediation efforts. This case will test the effectiveness of dialogue in resolving housing conflicts. It also underscores the ongoing fight for housing rights in the city.
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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
