The Badalona Municipal Government decided to open the La Colina pavilion, located in Montigalà, to offer shelter to people living on the streets ahead of expected temperatures near 0 °C. This measure is aimed at both the habitually homeless and the forty individuals still camping under the C-31 viaduct following the eviction of the former B9 institute.
“"The Badalona City Council opens a sports center without any beds or blankets or anything for the overnight stay of homeless people"
The criticism focused on the initial deficiencies of the facility. According to the entity Badalona Acull, the pavilion did not have beds, blankets, or basic services such as showers, dinner, or breakfast, and only had capacity for fifteen people. These claims were denied by the teams from Social Services, Civil Protection, and the Barcelona Urban Guard.
In addition to the lack of resources, the location of the La Colina pavilion has also generated controversy, as it is about a forty-five minute walk from the encampment of the B9 evictees. Dolors Sabater, leader of Guanyem Badalona, accused Mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol of "seeking headlines" with an insufficient action.
Faced with pressure, the City Council confirmed that it would provide beds and basic services in collaboration with the Red Cross starting on Monday night. Municipal sources indicated that if demand exceeded the pavilion's capacity, users would be redirected to the CUESB (Barcelona Social Emergency and Urgency Center).
