A Christmas with an urgent message
This year, Cáritas Catalunya has launched an emotional Christmas campaign with the slogan ‘Make a decent home not a letter to the Kings. Cáritas Catalunya, wherever they need us’. This initiative seeks to make people reflect on one of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Spanish Constitution that, unfortunately, remains unfulfilled: the right to decent housing.
The reality of the housing emergency
The current situation reveals a disturbing truth: access to decent housing is an unattainable luxury for many families. The report by the FOESSA Foundation of Càritas highlights that 26.5% of the Catalan population who are in a situation of social exclusion live with housing insecurity, while an alarming 44.7% are in substandard housing conditions.
Impact on daily life
In 2023, Càritas Catalunya served 69.8% of people who could not afford housing costs, with 23.2% facing threats of eviction. This job insecurity, combined with the rising cost of living and inflation, leads many families to use more than 60% of their income to pay rent or mortgages. This situation causes a drastic reduction in their ability to purchase basic products, medicines and leisure activities.
Factors exacerbating the crisis
Structural obstacles, such as the difficulty of registering and the insufficient attention from local administrations, together with the commercialization of housing, have contributed to a situation of homelessness that affects many families. Vulture funds and large holders act without scruples, fueling a crisis that affects the most vulnerable population.
Proposals for change
Despite the complexity of the problem, Caritas and other social organizations have proposed viable solutions. It is urgent that public administrations implement effective policies, such as ‘housing first’, the construction of social housing and the regulation of real estate speculation. Only with a firm commitment can we move towards a society where everyone has access to decent housing.
A call to collective action
The Cáritas campaign reminds us that, beyond Christmas wishes, it is vital to join efforts to ensure that the dignity of each person is a priority. Only with a collective commitment can we make the dream of decent housing for all a reality.
