> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Housing Protesters Block Barcelona Entrances - URL: https://barna.news/housing-protesters-block-barcelona/ - Published: 2026-09-28T14:41:56.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-28T14:41:56.000Z - Description: Tenants' Union and housing groups stage roadblocks across Barcelona to demand urgent action on evictions and rent control. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: housing ## Protesters disrupt key routes as Sánchez visits city Dozens of housing rights activists blocked major access points into Barcelona this morning, including Meridiana Avenue near Hipercor and Carrer de la Creu Coberta in Hostafrancs, in a coordinated action by the Tenants’ Union and allied groups. Another group attempted to block Diagonal at Passeig de Gràcia but was stopped by a significant presence of Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police. The demonstrations began early Monday 28 September 2026, coinciding with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s visit to the city. The protest marks the first phase of a day-long mobilisation involving the Catalan Housing Trade Union Confederation (COSHAC), the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH), the Socialist Housing Union of Catalonia, and the Sants Housing Group. --- ## Demand for decree to prevent evictions like Maricarmen's The protesters are demanding the immediate approval of a national housing decree to prevent repeat cases like that of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman evicted from her Madrid home last week despite never missing a rent payment. Her eviction has become a symbol of housing insecurity, prompting widespread outrage. According to sources cited by ACN, the proposed decree under discussion in the Council of Ministers, due to meet on Tuesday, 29 September, includes measures to restrict vulture funds from speculative property purchases, introduce tax incentives for landlords who lower rents, regulate seasonal rentals, and increase VAT on tourist apartments. Aid for first-home buyers is also under consideration. > If tomorrow they try to sneak in a new fake decree or new empty announcements, the mobilizations will continue. Enric Aragonès, spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, made the statement from the blockade on Carrer de Còrsega, calling for stronger commitments: automatic lease renewals, freezing rent during tenancy, and legal reforms to stop exploitative short-term rental practices. He stressed that vulnerable households must be protected from eviction without alternative housing, warning that “a general strike for the rights of working people and for the right to housing” is being increasingly discussed among activist networks. --- ## Political pressure mounts ahead of Tuesday vote Negotiations remain fragile. While Sumar demands the housing decree be approved “yes or yes” on Tuesday, the government still lacks guaranteed support. Junts, which previously joined with PP and Vox to block anti-eviction protections, has re-entered talks after Maricarmen’s case sparked public backlash. Junts now insists any decree must avoid penalising small property owners, according to reporting by Archyde. Meanwhile, Podemos leader Ione Belarra has dismissed the current proposals as 'cosmetic', demanding the expropriation of up to 650,000 flats owned by investment funds to be converted into social housing. A final decision is expected when the Council of Ministers meets on Tuesday. Protesters have called for a mass gathering this afternoon at the Palau de Congressos, where Sánchez is scheduled to speak. --- *Primary sources:* [*interior.gencat.cat*](https://interior.gencat.cat/web/.content/home/030%5Farees%5Fdactuacio/proteccio%5Fcivil/prevencio%5Fdel%5Frisc/documents/risk%5Fcriteria%5Fland%5Fuse%5Fplanning-brief.pdf?ref=barna.news)*,* [*lamoncloa.gob.es*](https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/councilministers/paginas/2024/20241015-council-press-conference.aspx?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by totbarcelona.cat, elconstitucional.es, Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief, Tot Barcelona.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Tenants Union calls Barcelona rally over housing decree](https://barna.news/tenants-union-calls-barcelona-rally/) - [Junts Proposes Ban on Vulture Fund Home Buys](https://barna.news/junts-proposes-ban-on-vulture-fund-home/) - [Barcelona Evictions Down 56% in Decade](https://barna.news/barcelona-evictions-down-56-in-decade/) - [Sánchez to Visit Barcelona Affordable Housing Scheme](https://barna.news/sanchez-to-visit-barcelona-affordable/)