The Joveria settlement is completely evacuated

PalmThe Joveria settlement has been completely evacuated this Tuesday, although an operation is removing a "multitude" of gas cylinders or batteries, as well as other dangerous elements, found on the site. Once removed, machines will enter to clean the plot. Even so, the institutional response in terms of accommodation is limited: the City Council has provided temporary spaces for seven family units and seven adults without dependents, a figure insufficient for the more than one hundred people who resided in the place.

This implies that more than half of those affected will not have immediate housing alternatives and will, predictably, be left in a state of unprotectedness once the eviction is finalized.

During the operation, awnings have been installed at the entrance near the fairgrounds, where Social Services technicians are offering initial assistance to the affected people. In parallel, some cases are being referred to the UTS Eixample to process possible benefits, although these do not guarantee a short-term residential solution.

The operation had the presence of about ten local police officers, with the expected support of the National Police, as well as Environment technicians in charge of supervising the management of the waste accumulated on the plot.

The eviction is part of a judicially authorized action, after the Administrative Litigation Court of Palma endorsed the entry, dismantling, and cleaning of the land. The City Council had previously required the owners to undertake the conservation and waste removal tasks, but due to their inaction, the judicial procedure was initiated.

Shanties, shacks, and tents had been set up on the plot, in an environment that, according to municipal reports, did not meet the minimum hygiene or safety conditions. The City Council had warned of the absence of drinking water, sanitation systems, and waste management, in addition to the high risk of fire due to the presence of gas cylinders and stoves.

Various reports included in the file also warned of environmental and health risks, with possible impacts on soil and groundwater, as well as an increased risk of infectious episodes.

Once the cleaning tasks are completed, the plot will be closed to prevent new occupations. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the evicted people face an immediate future without housing alternatives.

One of the "most difficult" decisions

The mayor of Eivissa, Rafa Triguero, explained to the media that, for him, the eviction has been one of the "most difficult" decisions to make, although the order to evict is something he has done out of a "matter of responsibility and justice" towards the occupants of the land. Furthermore, he thanked the work of the joint operation organized for this eviction, which has been "totally respectful of the occupants".

The municipal social services, present from the beginning, have provided coverage to seven people and no minors have been found. A person with a disability, a resident of the settlement, will receive appropriate treatment, they have indicated.

Triguero has acknowledged the difficulties in the municipality in accessing housing, but has assured that they will not "continue to tolerate this way of life" and that they will not continue "generating expectations" for the seasonal workers who resided on the land.

"Those who continue to think about coming to Ibiza to live in these conditions, should look for another location where they can have a residential solution", he added.

Rents of up to 500 euros were charged

Triguero has regretted that there are people who "take advantage" of the existing housing drama in Ibiza, since, according to the National and Local Police, rents of between 200 and 500 euros were charged for substandard housing.

More than 100 substandard housing

During the operation, more than 100 informal dwellings have been counted, with 72 people identified, according to the latest counts. Four wanted to remain in the place, although in the end they left voluntarily. The mayor confirmed that this Tuesday very few occupants remained, as they had probably left earlier.

It should be remembered that the City Council received a notification from the Contentious-Administrative Section of the Court of First Instance of Palma authorizing the entry, dismantling, and cleaning of the plot known as La Joveria. The owners will have to pay for the work done, as Triguero pointed out.