Community Gathers After Back-to-Back Tragedies

Dozens of residents gathered at L'Hospitalet Courts in support of Olga, a woman who died by suicide earlier this month after being evicted from her home in the Santa Eulàlia neighbourhood. The demonstration precedes a wider protest called for this evening at 8 PM in City Hall Square – and across municipal squares nationwide – where a pot-banging (cassolada) action will take place demanding urgent housing reforms. The protest follows the death of a 60-year-old man, Javier, a shoemaker who was found dead in his commercial premises on Martí Blasi Street in La Florida on Wednesday, 30 September. Emergency services were alerted at 12:50 PM after a friend noticed the shop shutter partially open and no movement inside. According to sources close to the investigation cited by El Món and confirmed by Lavanguardia, he left a written note stating he could not face eviction.

Eviction Proceedings Under Investigation

The Mossos d'Esquadra’s Investigation Unit has taken charge of the case to determine the circumstances surrounding Javier’s death. He had been scheduled for eviction on Monday, 5 October at midday. Though no signs of foul play were found, authorities are investigating whether the eviction process contributed to the tragedy. Javier used the shop both as a workspace and informal residence, spending increasing time there despite being officially registered in Bellvitge. Local officials confirm he was facing displacement without a secured alternative.

Olga's Death Adds to Pressure for Reform

Earlier in September, Olga, a resident of Santa Eulàlia, also died by suicide following an eviction. According to ACN, court proceedings continued hours after she attempted to take her own life, culminating in the enforcement of the eviction order. Her case, along with Javier’s, is now being cited by activists as evidence of systemic failure. A memorial event for Olga will be held on Saturday at 7 PM in Plaça Pius XII.

Tenants’ Union Demands Action

Enric Aragonès, spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, urged public participation in both the cassolada and an ongoing protest camp in Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona. He stated that “the housing business causes a lot of suffering and deaths” and called on political parties blocking housing reforms to “have these deaths on their conscience.”

We must fight for much more than decrees. These measures can alleviate pain, but only if they are implemented,” said Aragonès.

The union is calling for the immediate approval of protections known as the ‘Maricarmen decree’, named after Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman evicted from her Madrid home after living there since 1956. Public pressure, including a continuous protest camp at Puerta del Sol, forced national attention on her case.

National Housing Decree Faces Final Vote

The Spanish government is due to approve the housing decree this Tuesday in the Council of Ministers. Leaked details published by El Constitucional indicate the draft includes:

  • Suspension of evictions for vulnerable households until 31 December 2028
  • Requirement for courts to verify available housing alternatives before enforcement
  • Extension of rental contracts ending before 2028 by up to two years
  • Administrative compensation to individual landlords for unpaid rent and utilities during suspension
  • Stricter limits on temporary tourist rentals

The proposal aims to prevent tragedies like Maricarmen’s and respond to long-standing demands from housing collectives. However, Sumar and allied groups argue the measures do not go far enough. Residents attending tonight’s protest will call for indefinite tenancies and stronger safeguards against homelessness, using the deaths in L'Hospitalet as a rallying cry for change.

Reported by liniaxarxa.cat, lavanguardia.com, elconstitucional.es, llobregatnoticies.com, democrata.es, telecinco.es, theolivepress.es, ara.cat, ACN, apdnoticies.com, Línia Xarxa.