Catalonia is beginning a large-scale eviction: a court has officially authorized the municipality of Badalona to vacate the former B9 institute building within two weeks. For more than two years, around 400 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have lived there. This site has become the largest informal migrant settlement in the region, and now its residents face the prospect of being left on the street with no guarantee of alternative housing.
Municipal authorities insisted on an urgent eviction, citing numerous incidents and safety issues that, according to them, had arisen on the grounds of the former school. The judge sided with this view, pointing to the need for intervention due to public health and safety concerns, as well as tragic incidents, including the death of one resident following a conflict within the community.
No alternatives
Despite the court decision, the city administration admitted it is unable to provide housing even for the 166 people under the care of social services. For most of the 400 B9 residents, there are no accommodation options apart from temporary solutions for around 30 of the most vulnerable people, who will be housed in hotels or guesthouses for a short period.
Authorities attribute this to a lack of resources and the closure of the city’s only municipal homeless shelter in April 2024. Badalona Mayor Xavier García Albiol has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to provide temporary housing to all migrants living in B9, arguing that the issue should be addressed by other administrative bodies.
Prosecutor’s Response and Demands
The prosecutor did not object to the eviction but insisted that everyone in need should receive at least minimal assistance and temporary accommodation. It was specifically noted that social services are obligated to offer housing to those without their own means. The prosecutor also recommended that the eviction be carried out in stages to give people time to gather their belongings and prepare for the transition.
In response to the prosecutor’s request, municipal authorities reported that only adults are registered at the site and there are no children or teenagers from B9 under their supervision. After the eviction, the plan is to send social workers, psychologists, and educators to identify particularly difficult cases and provide consultations, although there are no plans to offer permanent housing.
Advocates’ Position
Attorneys representing some of the B9 residents opposed the court’s decision, reminding that the municipality is obligated to provide adequate relocation for people in extremely vulnerable situations. They emphasized that the eviction is taking place during cold weather, and that social services have failed to conduct a thorough assessment of the situation or offer real support measures for all 400 individuals.
In their appeal to the court, the lawyers cited the high social and humanitarian risks associated with a mass eviction and insisted on the need for involvement from regional authorities (the Generalitat of Catalonia) in finding solutions. In their view, city officials have not prepared an effective plan to minimize the impact on those facing eviction.
Pressure and disputes
Since the moment the eviction order was upheld by Catalonia’s highest court, the Badalona administration has actively sought approval for immediate intervention. Authorities explained the urgency by noting that the contract for securing the building is about to expire, and stressed the need to prevent further incidents.
Mayor Albiol has openly stated that he does not want a migrant camp in his city, urging other levels of government to take responsibility for addressing the issue. He acknowledged that the eviction would not solve the problem, but merely move it elsewhere, while insisting on the need for immediate action.
In case you didn’t know, Xavier García Albiol is one of Catalonia’s most prominent politicians, representing the Partido Popular (People’s Party). He has served multiple terms as mayor of Badalona and is known for his tough stance on migration and public order issues. His decisions often spark controversy and protests, and he has repeatedly faced criticism from human rights advocates and the opposition.
