In Badalona, five deaths among the homeless have already been registered in the first two months of 2026, raising serious concerns among the residents of Catalonia. This situation highlights a severe lack of social infrastructure and raises questions about the actions of local authorities. The closure of the city’s only municipal shelter and the absence of a soup kitchen for those in need have further heightened concerns among residents and activists.
The most recent case occurred on February 15, when a man of around 60 was found dead in the Puigfred area, near the border with Santa Coloma de Gramenet. According to El Pais, the man was inside a car and was subject to a court-mandated restraining order from one of Badalona’s residents. This incident was the fifth since the start of the year and sparked a wave of criticism directed at the city administration and Mayor Xavier García Albiol (PP).
Public Response
Civil society groups in Badalona, such as Badalona Acull, have been demanding for months that authorities immediately reopen the Can Bofí Vell shelter, which was closed in spring 2024. According to them, since the closure, homeless people have had almost nowhere to stay overnight or receive basic assistance. Organization representatives note that many deaths go unreported to the public, and investigations are hampered by the lack of official information.
In response to the rise in tragedies, opposition parties have increased pressure on the municipal government. Representatives from Comunes have called for an urgent city council meeting to discuss emergency support measures for the homeless. They are demanding the development and implementation of a crisis plan to reduce the number of deaths on the city’s streets.
Authorities’ stance
Local authorities in Badalona have yet to propose concrete solutions, sparking frustration among residents and activists. According to Jaume Ventura from Badalona Acull, the process of confirming each death is slow, and information about the victims is often incomplete. This creates a sense of impunity and anonymity surrounding these incidents, further worsening the situation.
Pressure is also mounting on the city administration at the Catalan government level. Mònica Martínez Bravo, responsible for social rights and inclusion, stated that the Generalitat was the first to demand the reopening of the municipal shelter. She also announced the drafting of a new law requiring all municipalities in Catalonia to provide a minimum level of support for the homeless. However, as noted by El Pais, civil organizations believe the proposed budget is insufficient to address the problem.
Consequences and challenges
The situation in Badalona reflects a broader issue faced by many cities in Spain. The growing number of homeless people, a shortage of shelters, and the lack of comprehensive support programs are leading to tragic consequences. Amid a worsening housing crisis and rising rental prices, vulnerable groups are finding themselves in an even more precarious position.
In recent years, similar incidents have occurred in other cities across Catalonia, where the closure of social facilities has resulted in increased mortality among the homeless. According to russpain.com estimates, cases of people dying on the streets were also reported in Barcelona and Girona in 2025, sparking public debate and prompting a review of municipal support programs. Despite some individual initiatives, the problem remains unresolved and the number of people in need continues to grow.
Overall, the situation in Badalona has sparked discussion about the effectiveness of social policies at both local and regional levels. The question of who should be responsible for the lives of homeless people remains open, and finding solutions requires coordinated action from all parties involved.
