The Generalitat shifts its attention from the evicted residents of B9 to Albiol

BarcelonaThe Catalan government (Generalitat) brought the relocation process for those evicted from the former B9 high school in Badalona to a close just hours before it was due to end in 2025. They have announced the opening of a "new phase" in the emergency program implemented by the Department of Social Rights and Inclusion in collaboration with social service organizations. From now on, according to sources within the department, the Badalona City Council's social services will be responsible for monitoring and making new referrals for the approximately forty people still sleeping under the C-31 bridge. The government and the alliance of social service organizations will form a group to design comprehensive inclusion plans for those evicted from the former high school in Badalona. These plans will address their immigration status, access to the job market, training, and healthcare. According to the Department of Social Rights, "the return to Badalona of those temporarily displaced as part of the emergency operation will be encouraged so that they can develop their inclusion plans within the municipality."

The city council, led by Mayor Xavier García Albiol (PP), has stated that the outpouring of support for those camped under the bridge has created a ripple effect and is now working "to determine which individuals are vulnerable," as it maintains that not everyone comes from the B9 area. However, this represents a shift in attitude towards those evicted, since the mayor had previously reiterated his unwillingness to invest money in their care and their removal. Municipal sources have told ARA that they are working with the Catalan government (Generalitat) to compile a list to identify each person's situation and which individuals have settled there more recently. According to sources within the Badalona government, some of the people do not sleep under the bridge, and others come from outside Badalona. These same sources add that once the municipal social services have completed the list, the procedures will be followed and resources activated "depending on each person's situation." According to data published by the Catalan Government, a total of 150 people have been temporarily housed in residential accommodation, two-thirds of which are paid for by the Generalitat (Catalan Government) and the rest by the alliance of social organizations. Although in this new phase the Government indicates that Badalona's social services will be responsible for finding housing for those evicted, the Department of Social Rights will continue to monitor the situation and offer technical and operational support "whenever necessary."

On December 17th, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) evicted approximately 200 immigrants from the B9 building, acting on a court order. Around another 200 people had left a few days prior to the police action, following the announcement of the eviction. Since then, dozens have been living in tents under the long C-31 motorway bridge near Badalona.