In the streets of Spain’s capital, an old social phenomenon is becoming visible once again: Chabolismo. Once primarily found on the outskirts of the metropolis, in recent months informal settlements have increasingly appeared in central Madrid – consisting of tents and makeshift shelters made from cardboard, plastic sheeting, and wood. This development reflects deep societal tensions surrounding housing, migration, and social integration.
Spain Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
From the Outskirts to Urban Neighbourhoods
What was once considered a marginal phenomenon is now visible in several districts of the city. People without permanent housing are establishing semi-permanent camps in parks, under bridges, and along transport corridors – including well-known locations such as Parque Cerro Negro in Retiro and areas along former railway lines. Despite their visible presence, there are still no reliable figures on how many of these makeshift dwellings currently exist in Madrid.
Faces Behind the Phenomenon
Those affected often include people from various parts of the world without secure residency or work permits. Many lack access to affordable housing and find themselves in precarious financial situations. Some report that, although they work – for example in part-time jobs in the hospitality sector or as hotel assistants – they still do not earn enough to rent a regular apartment.
Response from the City Administration
The authorities of the Comunidad de Madrid and the City Hall have responded to the developments, primarily adopting a two-pronged approach:
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The authorities of the Comunidad de Madrid and the City Hall have responded to the developments, primarily adopting a two-pronged approach:
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On the other hand, specialised teams from social services, the municipal police, and city cleaning crews intervene once a settlement is considered permanent, in order to clear or sanitise it.
According to the city’s social services, by the end of 2025 more than 1,000 homeless people were registered in Madrid, with concentrations particularly in the Central, Arganzuela, and Barajas districts. These are individuals who are regularly contacted by street outreach teams but do not always accept the support offered.
Political and Social Context
The return of Chabolismo comes at a time when housing has increasingly become a political issue in Spain. In many regions, demonstrations advocating for affordable housing and against rising rents have gained momentum – reflecting a housing crisis felt across Europe.
The Spanish capital is at the centre of the debate: on one hand, there is growing pressure to expand social housing and regulate rents. On the other, the city administration faces criticism, as many affected people feel that their basic needs for protection, safety, and dignity remain unmet. Experts also view this as a symptom of structural problems: a lack of lower‑priced housing, lengthy bureaucratic processes, and insufficient integration programmes for migrants.
Between Reality and Hopes
For many of those affected, the transition from makeshift shelters to a regular apartment is not an easy one: bureaucratic hurdles, lack of documentation, and a strained labour market make access to official housing difficult. Social workers emphasise that simply removing a settlement does not address the underlying causes – without accompanying social support and employment opportunities, many people are likely to relocate to another part of the city.
A Societal Balancing Act
The presence of Chabolismo in central Madrid raises a number of fundamental questions: how can a growing city ensure social inclusion? How can the needs of those seeking housing be balanced with the right to public order and health? And, not least, what responsibility do politics, the economy, and society have in finding long-term solutions rather than short-term interventions?
While the city seeks to find suitable ways to balance assistance and control, one thing is clear: the issue of affordable housing and social safety nets is not merely a logistical problem, but a societal challenge that extends beyond Madrid.
