Madrid’s homeless community is confronting increased difficulties following recent policy changes by the city council. Since March 2026, the Social Policies Department has authorized the Urgent Cleaning Service (SELUR) to remove personal belongings of homeless individuals from public spaces without prior notice. This includes items such as mattresses, backpacks, toys, and other personal effects, even in the absence of their owners.
While authorities assert that these actions are taken solely for public health reasons and claim that personal belongings are not discarded, reports indicate otherwise. Journalists have observed instances where personal items were removed and disposed of without warning.
Social workers have expressed strong opposition to this directive, viewing it as contrary to their professional ethics. Some continue to inform homeless individuals informally about impending clean-ups. The municipal government defends the measure as necessary, but opposition groups have condemned it as inhumane and cruel, demanding explanations and legal action against the protocol.
In response, workers from outreach teams assisting the homeless have protested outside the Social Policies Department headquarters. They are calling attention to precarious working conditions, lack of dialogue with the contracting company, and alleged reprisals for voicing concerns. The protests also highlight issues such as office overcrowding, resource deterioration, and lack of professional recognition, especially given the complexities of their work.
These developments have intensified the debate over the treatment of Madrid’s homeless population and the policies affecting them, prompting calls for urgent improvements in services considered essential and currently in decline.