The Barcelona City Council has initiated the ‘Habittem’ program, a pilot project designed to facilitate access to shared housing and offer comprehensive support to socially vulnerable families, with a particular focus on single-parent families with dependent children. The program, which begins with eight housing units and assistance for 12 cohabitation units, marks a significant step towards developing alternatives to urgent temporary accommodations.
Aims of the ‘Habittem’ Program
According to the city council, the project seeks to “promote the recovery of the cohabitation unit in a more normalized environment and strengthen the autonomy of individuals” through “intensive social support.” It specifically targets single-parent female families with dependent children who are experiencing social and residential vulnerability, have lost their homes or rooms, and are currently residing in urgent temporary accommodation services (ATU).
The program, spearheaded by the Municipal Institute of Social Services of Barcelona and the “la Caixa” Foundation, benefits from a partnership with various social entities specializing in social intervention for vulnerability and homelessness. These include Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Socials, the Mambré Foundation, Cáritas Diocesana de Barcelona, and the Fundació Formació i Treball.
Key Objectives
The primary objectives of ‘Habittem’ are to:
- Provide support and assistance to beneficiaries, enabling them to access resources and benefits that cover basic needs and ensure economic autonomy.
- Empower families by educating them about community resources, thereby enhancing their social and relational networks.
- Strengthen and improve the educational and employment prospects of family members, aiming for sufficient economic autonomy to cover housing and basic needs.
- Facilitate the process of disengagement from social support, promoting the acquisition of an independent residential space that families can sustain.
Collaborative Institutional and Technical Model
The ‘Habittem’ program will run as a pilot until March 2027, with a budget of 627,877 euros. The City Council is responsible for the institutional coordination of the project and contributes 313,938 euros to its cost, while the “la Caixa” Foundation provides 272,178 euros. The remaining funds are contributed by the other participating entities.
The project commences with eight rental properties provided by the Mambré Foundation. Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Socials is tasked with the technical coordination of the project, comprehensive housing management, and social support for the families. Furthermore, the Fundació Formació i Treball promotes and supports individualized pathways for improving training and job placement, while Cáritas Diocesana de Barcelona offers legal aid, psychological support, guidance, and treatment to the participants.
This initiative represents a collaborative institutional and technical model where all stakeholders are involved in creating an intensive care and support model for families residing in shared housing.
Source: https://www.eltriangle.eu/es/2025/11/13/nace-habittem-el-programa-de-vivienda-de-barcelona-para-familias-monoparentales-vulnerables/
