Another homeless person has been found dead in Badalona (Barcelona province), highlighting the acute problem of social support in the city. Since the beginning of 2026, this marks the third such death among those living on the streets. The situation is causing concern among local residents and organizations, who believe city authorities are failing to address the growing number of homeless people.
According to El Pais, the body of a 52-year-old man was discovered in the morning at plaza de Elisa Reverter. The cause of death is still under investigation, but it is known that the man had repeatedly refused assistance from social services. City officials state that support was offered several times, but he declined both accommodation and other options. Meanwhile, activists from Badalona Acull insist that the city has not created conditions for real solutions to the crisis, calling the official responses from authorities merely formal.
A story of life and loss
According to acquaintances, the deceased had previously worked as a butcher and lost his business, which gradually led to homelessness. Each evening he returned to the same square where he slept. Volunteers brought him food and tried to help him find a job, but suitable work was never found. Neighbors describe him as a friendly and calm person who never gave up hope of returning to a normal life. However, the lack of a stable income and support ultimately took its toll.
The organization Badalona Acull emphasizes that the closure of the city’s only shelter has worsened the situation. In their view, if the city had at least one temporary accommodation center or a dining hall, the number of tragedies would decrease. Activists believe that the authorities’ explanations about the ‘personal issues’ of the homeless do not reflect the full complexity of the situation. They insist on the need for an individualized approach and the expansion of social programs.
Response from the public and authorities
On social media and in the city streets, people are discussing why the number of deaths among the homeless is rising. Many blame the Badalona administration for inaction and a formal approach to the problem. According to representatives of Badalona Acull, municipal services often stick to standard offers without taking the real needs of people into account. The authorities, in turn, refer to the homeless themselves refusing help but do not propose new solutions.
The city records around 60 evictions each month, increasing the number of people living on the streets. According to experts, these figures point to systemic issues in social policy. The closure of the shelter and lack of alternative support options make the situation even more tense. Many residents fear that unless changes are made, tragedies will continue to repeat.
Context and trends
Fatalities among the homeless on the streets of Spain are becoming increasingly visible. In recent years, similar tragedies have been reported in various cities across the country, especially during the winter months. In Barcelona and Madrid, civic organizations regularly report a rising number of people losing their homes due to economic hardship or family issues. The closure of shelters and cuts to social programs often leave individuals without any support.
In 2025, Catalonia had already started discussing measures to create new temporary accommodation centers, but many projects remained at the planning stage. According to El Pais, experts believe that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the problem: from preventing evictions to expanding access to medical and psychological aid. For now, tragedies like the one in Badalona are becoming part of a grim statistic.
