Personas sin hogar en Barajas generan controversia entre Administraciones

AENA sources have denied that they will proceed to evict Barajas Airport from homeless people who spend the night in these facilities and have asked the City Council and the Community of Madrid to find a «dignified solution» for them.

Aena, in an informational note distributed this Thursday, urges these two administrations, as competent authorities in social services matters in Madrid, to articulate a dignified solution for the homeless people living in the facilities of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

Almost 200 people who sleep regularly at Barcelona airport are evicted

In addition, AENA sources consulted by EFE have denied that they will carry out an eviction, as previously announced

On the other hand, the delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality of the City Council of Madrid, José Fernández has called for the responsibility of the Government and has pointed out that many of the people who spend the night in Barajas are asylum seekers. «What does the Government of Spain intend?» the councilor asked. «We must give them a responsible response all the public administrations involved: the City Council of Madrid and also the Government of Spain through the ministries of Interior, Social Affairs, Transportation, and the ministry in charge of all migration issues.»

The Government delegate blames the City Council and the Community for the increase in homelessness at Barajas

According to the City Council, only 71 of those people who spend the night at the airport fall under the definition of «homeless» and therefore, the council believes it has jurisdiction over them.

According to the union Alternativa Sindical Aena/Enaire (Asae), every night about 500 people sleep at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport facilities.

The airport company ensures that it has «repeatedly» expressed to the City Council’s social services the concern about the increase of homeless people living in airport facilities and the delicate situation that is arising, and regrets that the lack of response has worsened over time.