The inauguration of the Amunt residence in the Sant Llorenç neighborhood of Terrassa brought together authorities and entity representatives to celebrate the opening of this new center. It is the first facility outside the Bages region for the Ampans foundation. The center offers 60 residential places and 20 day center spots for individuals with intellectual disabilities, addressing a significant need in the city and allowing residents to live closer to their families.
The event was attended by the Minister of Social Rights and Inclusion, Raúl Moreno, in his first official act, Parliament President Josep Rull, and Terrassa Mayor Jordi Ballart. According to Minister Moreno, the first residents could begin occupying the ten units, each accommodating six individuals, and the day center for twenty people this week or early next week, pending final administrative procedures.
Minister Moreno explained that the Government finances and contracts the cost of the places with the Ampans foundation, but the internal organization and selection of residents are not handled by the Generalitat. Waiting lists will prioritize individuals from Terrassa currently residing in Bages, a group estimated by the Coordinadora Capaç to be around twenty people.
Moreno highlighted that a priority for the new Government is to increase places for people with disabilities and the elderly, recalling the commitment to create 6,000 places during the previous term, of which 2,700 have been established. The minister also emphasized his intention to continue the work of the former minister, Mònica Martínez Bravo, focusing on streamlining social benefits, reducing waiting times for dependency services, and strengthening child protection.
As a new challenge, the minister mentioned the issue of homelessness, announcing policies designed in collaboration with municipalities to address this problem.
Mayor Jordi Ballart cited the Amunt residence as an example of inter-administrative coordination, noting the City Council's donation of the land and contributions from the Generalitat (2 million euros) and the Barcelona Provincial Council (1.6 million) towards the total cost of 9 million euros. Ballart recalled that the project dates back to 2009 and urged against partisan conflicts to foster a more inclusive city.
Parliament President Josep Rull announced upcoming legislation to eliminate pejorative language towards people with disabilities in Catalan law. Meanwhile, Soufian Laroussi, deputy for Social Sustainability at the Barcelona Provincial Council, revealed a cross-cutting plan for people with disabilities to be presented in December, with budget allocation for 2027.
The event was coordinated by Ampans President Lluís Sánchez Seuba and Foundation Director General Toni Espinal, who moderated a panel discussion with the Amunt residence director, Pilar Massó, and coordinator, Marta del Real. Also present were Gemma Paüls, president of the Coordinadora Capaç, and one of its promoters, Carles Godall, who expressed the seventeen-year wait for the center to become operational.
