Tenants' Union launches 'marathon' campaign to prevent Casa Orsola eviction in Barcelona

The Tenants' Union announced on Wednesday a "marathon" of actions to prevent the eviction of Casa Orsola, a building in Barcelona’s city center, scheduled for January 31.

The building has become a symbol of the city's housing crisis. In 2020, investment fund Lioness Inversiones bought the block with plans to turn it into short-term lets, much more profitable than long-term rentals.

Shortly after the purchase, the company informed residents - some of whom had lived there for decades - that their leases would not be renewed.

In response, some families decided to leave, while others turned to the Tenants' Union to "fight for their homes" and decided to stay.

After a long legal process, the first eviction is now scheduled for January 31. The affected resident, Josep, has lived in the building for 24 years.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone living in Barcelona. It is not a personal problem; it is a problem with the system," he said.

According to the Union, of the 27 families that lived in the building in 2021, seven have already left, and their apartments have been converted into short-term rentals at much higher prices, as they are not subject to rent control laws.

"A typical neighbor would pay €800 to €900, but now they are charging over €2,500. This is the symbol of the speculation happening in Barcelona driven by investment funds," Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Tenant's Union, told Catalan News.

To prevent the eviction, the Union has announced a series of events, including demonstrations, musical performances, and speeches, to stay "on alert" and block the eviction.

Arcarazo also explained that from Monday, they will go door-to-door in the neighborhood "to ensure all residents participate in stopping the eviction."

So far, the Union has garnered support from 200 organizations, including local and educational groups.

The case has received significant media attention, and the union hopes it could generate the "biggest support to stop an eviction the city has ever seen."

This weekend, during the Gaudí Film Awards ceremony, several actors voiced their support for the protests in their acceptance speeches, bringing the issue to the forefront.

"Defending Casa Orsola is defending Barcelona. Our city and our dignity are at stake," Arcarazo added.