Xisco Ducrós of PSOE argues that the PP are not addressing the housing problem. "They are sanctioning those people who cannot afford to rent or buy a home and have to live in a motorhome."
Following the mayor's presentation of the updated ordinance on Wednesday, Truyol observed that even people with incomes are choosing to live in motorhomes and caravans due to the situation with the housing market. The ordinance "criminalises" them. She added that some of the text is "very generic" and that the police will have to deal with the interpretation.
In those parts of Palma that have become small settlements for motorhomes, the announcement went down badly. By the Son Hugo swimming pools there are some fifty motorhomes, caravans and vans. "If they don't let us stay here, where are we going to go? Is the mayor going to let us have a room in his house?" asked Begoña.
"We're not here by choice, although we do feel protected. We've become like a family. We all know each other and we help each other. We don't bother anyone. We're going to have to take action. Where are we going to go, Mr Mayor? We'll see you on the streets."
Ezequiel also spoke about taking action. "Like blocking the Avenidas or turning up at a council plenary session so that they have to listen to us. The mayor is not going to come here. If we can't sleep in caravans, they'll have to give us an alternative. Otherwise, where will we go?"
He accepts that "we have everything to lose", but like some others at Son Hugo Ezequiel wonders if anything will come of the ordinance in the end. A Podemos councillor, Lucía Muñoz, pointed out on Wednesday that the ordinance is "a carbon copy" of one that a previous PP mayor, Mateu Isern, once sought to introduce. That was overturned by the courts.
Miguel, who is a general handyman for other dwellers at Son Hugo, shares Ezequiel's view. "I don't think they will get it through. But whatever, we only ask that they respect us. The mayor should come and sleep here for a week."
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Sorry I dont buy it. The majority of the people living in motorhomes choose to do so and relish the “freedom”. I see not why they should be allowed just take over neighbourhoods and establish communities wherever they like any more than allowing others to build a house just anywhere. Moreover they cause nuisance to the folks living in the areas where they camp out and am pretty sure they don’t pay the taxes that others do.
I repeat, Mayor Martínez is an idiot.
The mayor really isn't very bright. He's quoted as saying that motorhomes aren't meant to be slept in. Really? Has he ever been in one? Probably not, 5* hotels and caviar are all he knows.
The Situation is Desperate for many of these people as there financial situation is not Good and with winter fast approaching there options are very limited this is a really Horror situation as many of these people really have been trying to make the best out of a Bad situation with renting being out of reach one should not forget that renting is still very complicated for these people in tough time´s as they need garrentee´s regarding Rental Agreement etc , why as there are many place´s which could be properly managed set up with sanitary system´s etc for them to stay to get them off the city street´s I'm sure they would be happy with that , I think it is entirely incorrect to just ask them to move on ! you must provide them with an ALTERNATIVE !