On the streets of Barcelona, more and more people are being forced to sleep outdoors, using cardboard and their few belongings for shelter. Over the past year, the number of homeless people in the Catalan capital has risen by 27%. In 2024, there were 1,245 homeless individuals, and by October 2025, that number had grown to 1,581. The main causes are limited access to housing and unstable employment. According to representatives of charitable organizations, the city’s system is unable to cope with the growing influx of people ending up on the streets, and the housing crisis has become one of the top concerns for Barcelona residents.
According to European studies, city residents are forced to spend up to 74% of their income on rent. Barcelona ranks third in Spain for the highest housing costs, with prices reaching up to €4,719 per square meter. Experts note that current support measures are not solving the issue, and the employment and rental systems continue to drive the increase in homelessness. Now, among the homeless, there are not only middle-aged men but increasingly young people and women as well.
Women and youth
In recent months, Barcelona has seen a noticeable increase in the number of women and young people left homeless. This is reflected in the rising number of visitors to city soup kitchens: in the first five months of the year, around 510,000 free meals were served, up 7.5% from before. The municipality is working to respond to the situation by providing nearly 2,900 shelter beds, with additional spaces during periods of extreme weather. The city also operates special services that offer comprehensive assistance to the homeless, including housing programs and social reintegration initiatives.
However, representatives of organizations that help the homeless believe that official data underestimates the reality. Many people go uncounted, especially after recent measures to clear public spaces. Following these actions, some homeless individuals have moved to harder-to-reach areas such as Montjuïc and Collserola, where it is more difficult for them to access aid and support. According to experts, such measures merely shift the problem rather than solve it.
Winter risks
Life on the street becomes especially dangerous in winter, when temperatures drop below zero. For such cases, Barcelona has a special plan in place that operates from December to March. Under this program, homeless people can temporarily stay in overnight shelters and receive medical and social assistance. In emergency situations, a Night Reception Center with 100 beds opens, offering separate areas for men and women. If weather conditions worsen, the number of available places is increased to ensure no one is left without shelter.
The plan has three response levels: preventive (when cold weather is expected), high alert (if freezing temperatures are forecast), and emergency (during snowfalls and icy conditions). In each case, city services expand overnight shelter capacity and support.
The threat of violence
Homeless people in Barcelona face not only everyday hardships, but also the threat of violence. In the first ten months of this year, there were 23 reported cases of sexual assault against people without housing—16 women and 7 men became victims. Most of the women (93%) and men (71%) were raped. Particularly concerning is the rise in attacks on men: while only one case was reported last year, this year the number has already risen to seven.
Women living on the streets remain among the most at-risk groups. Experts emphasize that homeless individuals often have to seek shelter in crowded places for their own safety, but following recent city clean-up measures, they are being pushed into more isolated areas where the risks increase. The combination of violence and lack of stable housing makes their situation especially vulnerable.
