Metzineres, a vital organisation, provides shelter and support to dozens of vulnerable women in Barcelona’s El Raval neighbourhood. However, its premises face imminent closure, sparking an urgent political debate at City Hall.

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Metzineres describes itself as providing “shelter environments for women who use drugs surviving violence.” This vital organisation assists around 60 women a day who are homeless, dealing with drug dependency, and have histories of abuse. Since its inception nearly a decade ago, the cooperative has become an indispensable lifeline for 647 participants, offering a harm-reduction service for a community that often struggles to access mainstream support networks.

However, the organisation announced that its lease on Carrer de la Lluna, in the heart of the Ciutat Vella district, will not be renewed. The property owner intends to carry out renovations, forcing Metzineres to vacate the ground-floor space by June.

Political Pressure Mounts on City Hall

The impending eviction has drawn a sharp response from opposition parties. During a municipal commission on social rights, representatives from Barcelona en Comú (BComú) and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) pressed Mayor Jaume Collboni‘s government to intervene decisively by purchasing the property.

Jess González of BComú stressed the gravity of the situation, highlighting the unique role Metzineres plays in protecting women in a neighbourhood where safety can be a pressing concern, as seen in recent reports of an assault victim in Raval being too afraid to file a police complaint.

“What’s at risk is not a lease and four walls, but a key device for addressing sexist violence,” González warned. “If the facility closes, the women it serves will be forced onto the street.”

Eva Baró from ERC echoed the urgency, challenging the council to find a way forward. “This project must be saved,” she urged. “It’s a solvable problem and the solution is viable. Find another one if you don’t like this one.”

The ruling Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC) acknowledged the organisation’s crucial work but pointed to legal complications. Raquel Gil, the Deputy Mayor for Social Rights, explained that the city does not appear to meet the conditions required to exercise its right of first refusal, known as ‘tanteo y retracto,’ in this case.

“There are criteria for deciding on the purchase of premises, and our analysis tells us it would not be possible,” Gil stated, though she committed to re-examining the acquisition. Notably, the city’s struggles with housing precarity are well-documented. These issues impact everyone, from students needing a guide to deal with evictions to the tragically rising number of homeless deaths, such as the fifth death in nearby Badalona this year.

In the meantime, the Barcelona City Council is pursuing two alternative paths, according to a report in El Periódico. The Ciutat Vella district office is actively searching for a suitable new location for Metzineres. Simultaneously, officials are mediating with the landlord “to be able to extend the lease while a definitive solution is not found.”

Gil praised Metzineres for its work with a “collective that needs a very specific outlook and finds it difficult to find other solutions.”

Chemsex Debate Highlights Public Health Gaps

Junts per Catalunya called on the council to develop a public health strategy to tackle ‘chemsex,’ a practice sometimes known as ‘party and play’ that involves using drugs in a sexual context.

Junts councillor Titon Laïlla highlighted figures suggesting that 20% of men who have sex with other men engage in chemsex. There is also a three-month waiting list for specialised support units. “It is an emerging public health challenge,” Laïlla said, calling for measures of “prevention, awareness, and information” that avoid “criminalising or stigmatising practices.”

Marta Villanueva (PSC), the councillor for health, responded that the city is already rolling out a chemsex strategy, which will conclude in 2028. She shared the “same concern,” stressing the need for an “open and non-stigmatising view that focuses on the health risks, such as an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, impacts on mental health, and the development of addictions.”

For now, the future of Metzineres hangs in the balance. While all political parties recognise its essential role, a concrete solution to secure its home remains elusive as the June deadline looms.