Barcelona opens a daytime shelter for the homeless during peak summer heat. The new facility offers hydration, fruit, and a cool space. Access is free, with priority for the most vulnerable.
Barcelona is responding to the intensifying summer heat by opening a dedicated daytime climate shelter for people living on the streets. Starting August 1, the city will operate a new facility in the Sant Martí district, offering 75 places for those without a home to escape dangerous temperatures. The shelter, located at pasaje del Dos de Maig, 17, will be open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, providing fruit, water, ice cream, and energy bars to help visitors stay hydrated and nourished.
This initiative marks the first time the Barcelona City Council has launched a project of this kind, according to Social Action Commissioner Sonia Fuertes. She emphasized that the shelter is not only a response to climate risks but also part of a broader health-focused approach to supporting the homeless population. The facility previously served as a refuge for Ukrainian refugees and now shifts its focus to those most exposed to the city’s rising temperatures.
Access to the shelter is unrestricted throughout the week, but if demand exceeds capacity, a rotation system will be implemented. Priority will be given to individuals in the most vulnerable situations. The city expects that some people will use the space briefly, while others may stay for longer periods, depending on their needs. Importantly, the shelter is not intended to replace existing homeless support centers. Meal services will continue at social dining halls, and hygiene facilities remain available at established day centers.
Information about the shelter’s availability will be distributed by specialized street outreach teams, including the Servicio de Atención Social al Sinhogarismo en el Espacio Público (SASSEP) and organizations within the Persones Sense Llar network. These groups play a key role in connecting rough sleepers with municipal resources and ensuring that those most at risk are aware of the new option. Fuertes noted that 38 partner organizations will help refer people to the shelter, alongside other professionals who regularly work with the homeless.
The opening of this climate refuge is part of a wider municipal plan to strengthen support for people living on the streets during the hottest months. It complements Barcelona’s existing network of day centers, social dining halls, shower services, and other climate shelters distributed across the city. In addition to offering a safe, cool environment, the new facility will provide information about other social and health resources, as well as the broader network of climate shelters. Health teams will be able to refer urgent cases to medical centers, reinforcing self-care guidelines during extreme heat episodes and improving access to municipal services.
Barcelona’s move comes as Spain faces increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves. According to a study by Instituto Metròpoli, more than 10,000 deaths in the Barcelona metropolitan area between 2002 and 2022 have been attributed to extreme heat. The Sant Martí district, where the shelter is located, is among the city’s hottest neighborhoods, with persistent high temperatures throughout July and August. In just over a month since the start of summer, Barcelona has already experienced four major heat episodes, leaving many homeless people with few options beyond libraries and train stations for relief.
Recent events across Spain highlight the growing impact of extreme weather, with incidents such as the large wildfire between Ávila and Madrid that created its own microclimate and complicated firefighting efforts. For more on how climate events are affecting emergency responses, see this report on the wildfire that altered local weather and challenged firefighters.
Data from Fundació Arrels indicates that nearly 2,000 people are currently living on the streets in Barcelona, a 43% increase over the past three years. The city’s new shelter is a direct response to this growing need, aiming to reduce health risks and provide immediate relief during the most dangerous period of the year. The initiative reflects a broader trend in Spanish cities to adapt public services to the realities of climate change, prioritizing the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable residents.
