In recent months, Badalona, the fourth largest city in Catalonia, has seen a series of tragic events that have sparked widespread public debate. Over the past two months, five homeless people have died on the city’s streets, yet local authorities have not issued public condolences or responded in any way to these deaths. This approach to homelessness has become a topic of discussion not only among local residents but across the entire autonomous community.
As El Pais notes, in other Catalan municipalities, authorities often introduce controversial measures related to water access or migrant registration, but the case of Badalona stands out for its particular lack of empathy. The absence of an official response to the deaths of people living on the street is seen as a display of indifference toward society’s most vulnerable. This decision by the city council has raised questions about the priorities of urban policy and the approach to social responsibility.
Social infrastructure
There are no shelters or soup kitchens for the homeless in the city, despite the ongoing relevance of the problem. According to representatives of local organizations, the authorities consider the issue resolved and have shut down all previously existing facilities. Furthermore, last year Badalona’s administration left the coordination council that dealt with support for the homeless. This move has effectively left people without access to basic social assistance.
When, at the beginning of the year, a group of people who had been left homeless after being evicted from the B9 institute building tried to find shelter in the former Can Bofí Vell hostel, they found the premises abandoned, with personal belongings and food supplies left untouched. The municipality took no steps to redistribute or reuse these resources. This situation highlights the lack of a systemic approach to addressing homelessness in the city.
Public response
Community organizations such as Badalona Acull regularly hold memorial events honoring homeless people who have died, but municipal representatives consistently ignore these gatherings. At the most recent event, held on March 9, not a single city council member was present. This lack of attention from authorities reinforces the sense of social isolation and marginalization experienced by people in vulnerable situations.
In public statements and on social media, city officials frequently link homelessness to crime and illegal migration. This rhetoric fosters negative attitudes towards vulnerable groups and hinders the search for constructive solutions. According to El Pais, the city’s mayor has repeatedly spoken out against providing social assistance to newcomers, claiming it acts as a magnet for migrants.
Impact on the city
The lack of social support and official response to the deaths of homeless people could further worsen the situation. Residents of Badalona note that the city is becoming less safe and less cohesive. Decisions made by the municipality have sparked discontent among activists and ordinary citizens, who argue that human rights should be at the center of urban policy.
In recent years, the issue of municipalities’ social responsibility towards the homeless has been repeatedly raised in Spain. In other cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, authorities are implementing support programs and opening new shelters to reduce the number of deaths on the streets. However, in Badalona the situation remains tense, and the lack of change raises concerns about the future of social policy in the region.
Looking back at similar cases, it is worth noting that in 2025, deaths of homeless people were also recorded on the streets of Valencia and Zaragoza, prompting a review of local support programs. In Barcelona, after a series of tragedies, additional shelters were opened and mobile assistance teams introduced. These measures have helped to reduce such incidents and improve trust in local authorities. The experience of other cities shows that proactive administration can change the situation and prevent further tragedies.
