The housing problem on Ibiza and the excessive rise in prices that affects both rent and basic necessities is a big problem not only for families and businesses, but also for third sector organizations. This is the case for Caritas Diocesana de Ibiza, which helps families on the island. “This winter we know that it is going to be very complicated because, although this summer there has been a lot of work, the issue of inflation and housing affects all our programs,” explains Gustavo Gómez, coordinator of the entity.
“The rise in prices of staple foods means that all the money that families have saved this summer season is not enough to last until April,” explains Gómez. Currently Caritas Ibiza attends fewer demands than just before the pandemic but more people than in 2019, he explains.
The profile of the people who come to Caritas on the island “is very diverse”, according to the spokesman. “This diversity is a reflection of the people who live on the island, since there are people from all over the world,” he explains. This entity is not only frequented by people with no monthly income, but in recent times it is common to find workers who can not make ends meet with their salary. “It is alarming to us that there are people who work forty hours a week and cannot make ends meet and come looking for help,” denounces Gómez. In addition, he explains that the profile of people who need help “has changed in recent times. “Before it was very difficult to find people from Ibiza in the queue, but since the 2008 crisis there are quite a few. There are also many Colombians and Paraguayans who do not have jobs or passports and have many difficulties in finding a job,” he says.
Some products in the Cáritas warehouse J.A. Riera
The labor reform this year has made it possible for people with jobs who come to the center for help to have a permanent contract with the company. However, many of them have big problems with housing. “We urge the institutions to put infrastructures in place to help homeless people. We hope that next week the low-demand center of Sa Joveria will be ready and can be of help soon,” he explains.
Cáritas urges for a more welcoming society
On the other hand, Gómez also reflects on the price of rent by landlords: “We must be a more welcoming society. This is not only the job of the Administration. Landlords should not set excessive prices when renting an apartment,” he reflects. “There are many aspects that we have to improve to speak of a better society. The Ibizan society is very welcoming, but we also need other responses from the Administration,” he adds.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.