In the absence of shelter, Barcelona’s homeless people have had to confine themselves on the street after the state of alarm decreed on March 14. The desert city has made its situation visible. Some have been seen sleeping in the open by the closing of borders, hotels and businesses.
The opening of the hostel by Barcelona City Council has alleviated some 700 people, but the economic crisis due to the coronavirus has hit hard the most vulnerable, increasing the number of homeless people from 1,200 to 1,900 in two and a half months. The social ICU is overwhelmed.