More than half of the families experiencing homelessness and assisted by San Juan de Dios are single-mother families.

PalmAccording to the study, 55.6% of the families assisted by the San Juan de Dios Foundation in Mallorca between 2018 and 2022 were single-mother families. Families in situations of residential exclusionThe report, presented this Wednesday in Palma to mark the organization's tenth anniversary, reveals that families from South America represent 68.1% of the total and constitute the group most affected by housing exclusion in the Balearic Islands. The document is based on an analysis of the records of the Es Convent reception service, which assisted a total of 1,343 people from 436 families. Of those assisted, 58.4% were women and 41.5% were men. Regarding family roles, the mother stands out, representing 30.3% of the total, followed by sons (27.2%), daughters (26.4%), fathers (13.6%), and grandmothers (2.1%).

Regarding the age of those receiving assistance, the 18-35 age group accounts for 22.5% of the total, coinciding with the majority of mothers' ages. Fathers, on the other hand, are primarily between 36 and 45 years old. Among the children, 37.3% are between 3 and 7 years old; 26.7% are between 8 and 12; adolescents represent 24.8%; and infants under 2 years old make up 13.5%. These data show that the child and young adult population represents a very significant portion of the families served.

Regarding family composition, the report notes that 41.3% of families are two-parent families, while only 3.1% have the father as the sole adult figure. Thus, most situations of residential vulnerability in Mallorca primarily affect single mothers, reinforcing the need to address these issues from a gender perspective.

The housing trajectory of families

Researchers Nuria Martínez and Susana Batle emphasized that the study allows for a precise diagnosis of residential exclusion and the identification of potential social policy strategies to guarantee the inclusion and protection of minors. Although the analysis focused on families served at Es Convent, it provides valuable information about the situation in the Balearic Islands.

Entry into the shelter is primarily due to social emergency (54.5%), meaning families forced to sleep on the street the same night, followed by the expiration of a rental contract. Families largely come from housing considered unsafe (47.2%), from homelessness (17.2%), or from normalized situations (16.2%). Only 2.7% arrived directly from the street, and 0.7% came from inadequate housing. At the end of the intake process, 43.8% of families leave after completing the program, while others leave the shelter of their own accord. Subsequent accommodation options are varied: 33.1% move into shared housing; 24.1% into other support services; and 19.7% into rented rooms. 1.7% return to another country, while only 0.2% enter social housing and another 0.2% a hostel. The mayor acknowledged that many shared accommodations do not meet legal requirements or have contracts in the family's name, perpetuating situations of vulnerability.

Migrants and their specific difficulties

Martínez has focused on the situation of migrants experiencing homelessness, most of whom come from Latin America. She explained that migration often stems from the search for safety for their children, to avoid dangerous migration routes—such as those to the United States—or to escape contexts with growing drug trafficking networks. Many of these families arrive in Mallorca thanks to contact with a fellow countryman who provides them with temporary housing. "When they arrive, they often find themselves feeling uneasy and deprived. They didn't come from the same situation of homelessness; they had the resources to fly here. It's a head-on clash between their expectations and the reality they encounter," Martínez stated. Children suffer particularly painful situations, with direct repercussions on the parents' emotional state and their fear of losing custody.

Among the factors that exacerbate vulnerability, the study points to the Immigration Law, which limits access to resources and housing, as well as housing policies, the high price of the real estate market, and the reproduction of classist and racist dynamics by landlords and real estate companies.

The report underscores the "violence, human rights violations, and unmet needs" experienced by migrants upon arrival in Mallorca. They are victims of illegal and criminal practices without knowing their rights in Spain, where to report these crimes, or how to do so without risk of deportation. Therefore, the authors recommend preventative programs that reduce exposure to housing exclusion and coordination with specialized legal advice services. The study also highlights the additional stressors faced by people with disabilities, stemming from the difficulty in finding housing solutions and having their dependency recognized. Pregnant women also require specific medical care and adequate rest periods, which reception services should guarantee as a priority. Ten years of social support

Inma Iglesias, director of the San Juan de Dios Foundation, reviewed the organization's history since its inception. It all began with homeless families and children living in boarding houses without any support. In 2015, Es Convent was opened, which has since provided shelter to 1,162 families, comprising 3,368 people. The foundation has also assisted victims of gender-based violence, refugees from the war in Ukraine, and asylum seekers. Over the years, socio-educational programs have been developed, a charity fashion store has opened in Palma, and special attention has been given to vulnerable people during the pandemic. 2024 marked a structural shift with the arrival of a majority of single-mother families, which necessitated the application of a gender perspective and a specific approach to address this issue.

Last year, the foundation achieved its best results ever: 84% of families reached the goals of the support plan, 82% became independent, and 38% found employment. The challenges ahead, Iglesias concluded, involve addressing the hidden reality of female homelessness and ensuring that no woman or child is left out of the system due to a lack of appropriate resources.