Badalona eviction crisis has escalated into a political standoff after the Catalan government demanded the city’s mayor provide immediate housing for dozens left homeless.
Social Rights Councillor Mònica Martínez Bravo sent an urgent letter to Mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol on Thursday, calling for the reopening of the Can Bofí Vell homeless shelter.
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This follows the police eviction of approximately 50 people from the occupied former B9 institute in Badalona.
Badalona Eviction Crisis Prompts Shelter Ultimatum
In her letter, obtained by the Catalan News Agency, Martínez Bravo stated that several social organisations, including Cáritas and the Red Cross, are prepared to manage the shelter “for this very night.” She argued that Can Bofí Vell meets the necessary conditions to provide at least emergency accommodation. Furthermore, she emphasised that a recent court ruling determined the city council must provide adequate resources for the evicted individuals.
The councillor referenced a meeting held that afternoon with Badalona City Council and various social organisations. Consequently, she noted the participating entities expressed willingness to take immediate charge of reopening and managing the shelter. This situation highlights the broader housing pressures affecting vulnerable groups across the region.
Meanwhile, the Catalan Parliament approved a motion presented by Comuns, urging both the Generalitat and Badalona to urgently house the former occupants. The document, voted through by the chamber’s majority, demands all measures be taken to guarantee residential alternatives. It specifically calls for preventing the inhabitants from facing homelessness in the middle of winter.
Political Responsibility and Winter Shelter
During a parliamentary session, Martínez Bravo reported that her department had, in recent weeks, directed 59 people from the former institute to “appropriate resources.” She asserted the government has conducted all pertinent procedures to address the “delicate situation.” However, she maintained that finding a housing solution for these individuals ultimately falls under the city council’s competence.
The councillor concluded her letter by stating the Generalitat is prepared to offer all necessary technical support and resources to find a solution as soon as possible. This inter-governmental dispute over responsibility for the Badalona eviction crisis underscores the acute shortage of affordable shelter. The urgent call to action comes as temperatures drop, increasing the health risks for those sleeping rough.
According to El Periódico, the former occupants have been sleeping in the open air outside the now-sealed building. The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges of illegal occupations and the lack of social housing infrastructure. Therefore, the resolution of this Badalona eviction crisis will be closely watched as a test of municipal and regional cooperation on homelessness.
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