Barcelona and the Catalan government agree to buy the Llenguadoc 74 block, halting the eviction

The eviction planned at the block at 74 Llenguadoc Street, in Sant Andreu, has been halted after hours of neighbourhood and social mobilisation. Dozens of people live in the building, including children, older residents and vulnerable neighbours. Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Government have reached an agreement, or preliminary agreement, with the owner to buy the property.

The public purchase of buildings whose residents face eviction is one route administrations can use to prevent displacement and, at the same time, add homes to the public or protected housing stock. Evictions depend on court proceedings, although they may be postponed or affected when vulnerability and social services are involved.

For tenants, deals of this kind can provide stability if they are ultimately completed. For owners, they show that public authorities can intervene in serious housing conflicts through negotiation and purchase, not only through regulation.