The purchase of the building, which includes 25 homes, was essential to halt judicial processes and stop evictions affecting long-term residents. The Barcelona City Council describes the operation as “extraordinary” while finalizing procedures to entrust the integral management of the property to the Hàbitat3 foundation.
“"The experience has been fundamental for encouragement because it is very difficult to think that you can win against a giant like an investment fund."
For historical residents, such as Elisenda Paños, who has lived in the property for 36 years, the purchase has brought significant relief after years of uncertainty. Her contract, which expired in 2022, is being regularized, allowing tenants to pay rent directly to the City Council instead of through the courts.
Of the 25 dwellings, 11 were acquired by the council and 14 by the foundation. Currently, eight flats are vacant, seven of which resulted from expired seasonal rental contracts. These will be allocated through the public register of the Consorci de l'Habitatge de Barcelona, with rents referenced to the protected housing regime, once the agreement scheduled for this February is signed.
