Enticing incentive for families residing in shanty town in Spain’s Mallorca

mallorca news

Approximately 100 families are due to be evicted from Son Banya this year. Credit: Pere Boot

IN response to the increasing number of complaints about the destitute shanty town of Son Banya in Spain’s Palma de Mallorca, the City Council has confirmed that its total dismantlement “will be a reality before the end of 2021.”
The shanty-town, which lies just a stones throw away from the centre of Palma, has been rife with crime over the last few years, raising considerable alarm to local residents.
Home to approximately 100 families who are housed in 85 shack-like buildings, Antoni Noguera, the Deputy Mayor for Welfare, has announced that the City Council are working on a range of incentives to entice individuals to voluntarily leave the dwelling.
This includes granting families between €15,000 and €20,000 on the condition that they do not have another home or business and that they are willing to follow a social inclusion plan to allow a full reintegration into mainstream society through workshops and employment assistance. Children must also be enrolled in school for families to be able to receive the money.
Noguera explained that the first phase of the dismantlement began in July 2018 where out of 42 evictions ordered, 31 were executed with a total of 117 people leaving the shanty town.
The second phase was approved in January of this year by the Governing Board, where a budget of €917,000 has been allocated to ensure that Son Banya is completely emptied. Once the demolition is complete, the City Council plans to build a residence for senior citizens to meet the growing demand for elderly care in the capital.

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Isha Sesay

Comments