Málaga authorities have started clearing a large caravan camp near Sacaba Beach. Rising rents have left many workers with no housing alternatives. Police warn of legal action as residents demand dialogue.
Authorities in Málaga have launched the eviction of a sprawling caravan settlement near Sacaba Beach, targeting over a hundred people who have turned to mobile homes as the city’s rental market becomes increasingly unaffordable. Local police, accompanied by support units, began identifying and notifying residents this week, insisting the area lacks basic sanitation and infrastructure. The move follows years of complaints from nearby residents about safety, noise, and hygiene issues.
The camp, located on a neglected plot owned by Repsol at the mouth of the Guadalhorce river, has served as a last resort for workers unable to secure traditional housing. Many, like Ángel González, a construction laborer earning around €1,000 a month, say they have no realistic way to pay for an apartment in Málaga’s overheated market. Despite holding steady jobs, residents report that soaring rents and property prices have left them with few options beyond living in caravans or vans.
Police began the operation after informing residents that all vehicles must be removed for cleaning, a routine that previously involved shifting caravans within the site. This time, however, the order was to vacate entirely, with officials warning that failure to comply could result in criminal charges for disobedience. By midday Wednesday, only 45 of the original 138 vehicles remained, and officers had started documenting owners, with the threat of towing looming for those who refuse to leave.
Residents and activists have called for negotiations, arguing that the city has not offered any alternative solutions. Some, like Eddy Fabio Pena, who moved to the camp after a divorce, continue to pay off their vehicles while working in local warehouses. Others highlight the harsh realities of life in the camp, from extreme summer heat to flooding during storms, emphasizing that living there is a necessity, not a choice.
Local neighborhood associations have pressed the city for action, citing a decline in safety and cleanliness. Fernando Rueda, president of Los Sacabeños, described a steady deterioration, with uncollected waste, uncontrolled fires, and wastewater from caravans ending up in the river. The city council, led by Mayor Francisco de la Torre, has acknowledged the complaints and stated plans to eventually develop the land for public use, but has yet to propose concrete alternatives for those being evicted.
Rental and property prices in Málaga have surged in recent years. According to Idealista, average sale prices have climbed from €2,100 per square meter in 2021 to €3,784, while rents have nearly doubled to €16.5 per square meter. The city’s housing shortage has left many working residents unable to afford even modest apartments, fueling tensions as luxury developments rise nearby.
Opposition parties have criticized the city’s approach, urging dialogue and the suspension of the eviction. Representatives from Con Málaga and Adelante Andalucía argue that the authorities are failing to address the underlying housing crisis, instead resorting to police measures. The municipality, meanwhile, has announced plans to block vehicle access to the site once it is cleared, reinforcing its intention to prevent future settlements.
This eviction comes amid broader concerns about neglected urban spaces and the social impact of rapid real estate development. Similar tensions have surfaced in other Spanish cities, as highlighted when a major fire on ADIF-owned land in Zaragoza prompted renewed scrutiny of abandoned plots and their risks to local communities. For Málaga’s caravan dwellers, the immediate challenge remains finding a place to live as the city tightens its grip on informal housing.
Spain’s housing crisis has intensified in recent years, particularly in coastal cities like Málaga, where tourism and investment have driven up prices. The lack of affordable rental options has pushed more people into precarious living situations, including makeshift camps and overcrowded apartments. While local governments have announced plans for new public housing and regulated campsites, implementation has lagged behind demand. The situation in Málaga underscores the growing divide between luxury developments and the realities faced by many working residents.
