New Shelter Launches in Sant Martí District
Barcelona has opened a new temporary accommodation facility for homeless individuals and families in the Sant Martí district, the city council confirmed on Monday 7 September 2026. Located on Venezuela Street, the facility provides 15 homes with capacity for 40 people, offering up to three years of residency as part of a structured social reintegration programme. The service is managed by the city’s Social Services, which refers eligible applicants. It targets people and families with children facing severe socio-economic hardship, no stable housing, or living in unsuitable conditions.
Designed for Stability and Independence
Each resident household receives a personal and family improvement plan developed jointly by Social Services, APROP professionals, and the individuals themselves. These plans aim to support long-term autonomy through socio-educational assistance, job training, and housing guidance. The homes are part of Barcelona’s APROP (Provisional Local Housing) network, which now totals 64 units across the city, including 12 in Ciutat Vella and 42 in the Glòries block completed earlier in 2026. On the ground floor, shared spaces include a multi-purpose room, communal laundry, and support offices. While the Glòries APROP block features a hydroponic garden run by residents and disability organisations, details on similar facilities at the Venezuela Street site were not specified in the council’s announcement. Residents contribute between 20% and 30% of their income toward housing costs.
City Expands Emergency Housing Network
This opening marks the latest step in Barcelona’s effort to expand emergency housing. Since 2020, the city has repurposed hotels and residences to shelter homeless individuals during crises. Under the APROP framework, temporary housing is built rapidly using industrialised methods. The Glòries block, for example, was completed in 26 weeks at a cost of €5.77 million.
The goal is not just shelter, but to provide the tools people need to regain stability and move toward permanent housing,
said a spokesperson in the council’s press release. More information about public housing opportunities in Sant Martí, including APROP and other social housing options, is available through the Ajuntament’s district services.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Barcelona City Council Press Room. Reported by uria.com, re-dwell.eu, catalannews.com, diaripublic.cat, ara.cat, Europa Press Barcelona.
