In Catalonia, amid alarming data showing a rise in the number of people without permanent housing, more than thirty municipalities gathered for a special meeting. Representatives from towns including Barcelona, Badalona, Vic, Sitges, Terrassa, and El Prat discussed how to respond together to the rapid increase in homelessness. The meeting was prompted by numerous resident complaints and recent reports highlighting the acceleration of this issue.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the regional government, including the Minister of Social Affairs, Mònica Martínez Bravo. She acknowledged that, although municipalities are responsible for addressing the issue, the scale of the problem demands coordinated action across all of Catalonia.
Working groups
During the discussion, it was decided to create five specialized working groups. Their tasks are to improve data collection and analysis, as well as to raise the quality of support, including in the area of mental health. City mayors expressed their willingness to cooperate but emphasized that without additional resources, implementing effective measures would be impossible.
According to data presented at the meeting, the number of people accommodated in shelters has increased by 40% over the past two years. This is also confirmed by statistics gathered by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Catalan government. Authorities and social organizations agree that homelessness has become a persistent issue requiring urgent solutions.
Different estimates
The complexity of the situation is exacerbated by discrepancies in the statistics. According to estimates from the Catalan government, there are 4,726 homeless people in the region, while the ombudsman (Síndic de Greuges) cites a figure of 6,724. The reason is the difficulty in accurate counting and differences in data collection methods. That’s why one of the working groups will focus on the collection and verification of data.
In Barcelona, according to the Arrrels Foundation, more than 2,000 people live on the streets. Mayor Jaume Collboni notes that about 60% of the homeless cannot receive assistance due to overwhelmed social services. He emphasizes that without increased funding and coordination across all of Catalonia, it will be impossible to turn the situation around.
Causes and challenges
Catalan ombudsman Esther Giménez-Salinas notes that her office is receiving more and more individual complaints from citizens concerned about the worsening situation and problems with neighbors. She highlights that the homeless are a very diverse group and that each segment needs a tailored approach. According to her, the homelessness crisis is a direct consequence of the region’s housing crisis.
Authorities and civil organizations agree: fighting homelessness effectively requires not just legislation, but real resources. The Catalan parliament is currently discussing a new law aimed at improving the situation. However, experts stress that even the best-designed initiatives will remain only on paper without funding.
Plans and prospects
During the meeting, participants agreed on the need to develop a unified strategy. Among the priorities are creating an effective data collection system, expanding access to medical and psychological care, and developing new support programs. Municipalities are calling for increased funding and closer cooperation with regional authorities.
Despite a general spirit of cooperation, participants acknowledged that the problem is complex and won’t be solved quickly. Ahead lies painstaking work aligning positions, finding resources, and implementing new approaches. However, for the first time in a long while, cities across Catalonia are showing a willingness to act together to curb the rise in homelessness and give people a chance at a decent life.
