The mayor of greuges, Esther Giménez-Salinas, demanded this Wednesday that the Esplugues City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia act “with maximum diligence” in caring for the residents of the El Barco building, evacuated on Monday due to imminent danger of collapse. The affected neighbors, 38 families who found themselves suddenly homeless, contacted the Ombudsman to demand that “their right to housing be guaranteed.”
In this sense, the ombudsman demanded that the relocations be “close to their current residence” to “guarantee that the existing coexistence centers are maintained” and that they are “stable until the definitive homes are assigned.” Continuing in Esplugues and stability are precisely two of the main demands of those evicted. Municipal sources informed La Vanguardia that “a collaboration framework” was established between the City Council and the trustee.
Meanwhile, and although with difficulties, two days after the eviction of El Barco, the City Council began to rehouse residents in their new homes in the medium term. The first deputy mayor, Eduard Sanz, assured that three families would sleep today in their new apartment in Esplugues. One already did it yesterday.
In addition, Sanz promised that in the next few hours they would have eleven more floors. “Some will be in Esplugues and others in Barcelona and l’Hospitalet de Llobregat,” he said. “It is a solution for two or three months, until a definitive one is found,” he stated. Thus, at the moment there is no alternative for everyone, although the municipal administration maintains that it is working hard to achieve it.
On the other hand, emergency care also improved. “If yesterday we had 40 people in a hostel in Barcelona, ??we have gone to three. We have 14 families in hotels or aparthotels and 16 who have preferred to resort to their family network,” said Sanz.
Among the neighbors, the feeling was one of certain relief, although not satisfaction. “We are a little better,” said Azif. At the end of the day, they don’t know what their definitive future will be. And the temporary move to Barcelona also entails problems. “Let’s see how we do it to get the children to school with the change,” he reflected.
Late today, there were only two people left in the building. Presumably they will leave on Thursday without offering resistance. This Wednesday the City Council received the judicial order enabling the eviction of the people who refused to leave El Barco. Saray left the building at night: “We have more room for maneuver. They have given us a hotel until April 18 in Cornellà, it is no longer a hostel. It is not ideal. But they have also told us that we will talk about rehousing” , He said. His expression, although exhausted, reflected a certain aura of hope.
All those affected received neighborhood support in the form of a demonstration. Nearly 300 people supported them, demanding “a long-term solution for everyone.”
What will not bring them peace is the political scuffle between the City Council and the Generalitat. The local administration once again regretted not receiving sufficient support. The Government replied that they are “activating all the resources at their disposal.”
