The Government of Spain, the Community of Madrid and the City Councils of Madrid and Rivas have signed a protocol this Monday to develop the 'extraordinary relocation plan' of the Cañada Real Galiana over the next ten years, with an investment of 330 million euros to relocate more than 1,600 families.
It is a new step after the Regional Pact signed in 2017 by the Community and the municipalities involved, within the framework of which some 60 million euros have been invested and 286 families have been relocated from this 14-kilometer settlement that was born more than half a century ago. and where about 7,300 people live.
All signatories have highlighted the importance of the document having the support of "the three administrations" - local, regional and national - to ensure its compliance.
On behalf of the central government, the document has been signed by the Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Agenda, David Lucas, who has stressed to the rest of the actors that this protocol must be transferred to an agreement, so that it is correct from a legal point of view.
Lucas recalled that “there have been many complaints from international organizations and social groups” that have demanded an end to this “very complex” settlement with “hard deficiencies”, which has become “one of the core of substandard housing.” largest and most important in all of Europe.”
For this reason, he has asked the rest of the signatories to “be able to be effective and do things well, with participation processes” to guarantee that those affected “are active subjects.”
At the local level, the mayor of Rivas, Aída Castillejo, has celebrated that “decent housing” is closer for the members of the Cañada Real, and has stressed that it is equally important that “certain deadlines” for execution of plans “that provide guarantees to families.”
And he has insisted that, while working on the entire process, “continue to make progress to guarantee the rights” of access to needs such as electricity, water, education and employment until they can finally access housing.
For his part, he has committed that Rivas will “continue working intensely” and will provide “all the necessary resources”, through a “constant dialogue” with the families, whom he has thanked for “their dignity and the defense they do for their rights.” , in addition to “their patience when working with administrations that do not always speak clearly to them.”
As a representative of the Madrid City Council, the delegate of Housing Policies and president of the Municipal Housing and Land Company of Madrid (EMVS Madrid), Álvaro González, has signed the document, who “has reaffirmed, once again” the commitment of the Consistory of the capital with the families of La Cañada.
“This protocol is not just an agreement between administrations: it is a deep and supportive commitment to those who live here, because the families are not alone and we are going to continue supporting them so that they have a better life,” González promised.
He also recalled that the EMVS of Madrid has already provided 117 homes for relocation of families from this settlement, also offering them "coordinated support" to abandon their situation of "extreme vulnerability", with support before and after relocation for "total integration." social".
The Minister of Housing, Jorge Rodrigo, was present on behalf of the Community of Madrid, who celebrated this signature focused on the “elimination of shanty towns” and helping people in situations of precariousness and poverty.
Rodrigo has expressed the opinion that this document is “coherent” with the different steps taken since the Commissioner for the Cañada Real was established in 2015, giving rise to “prolonged and well-done” work to “normalize and regularize the area.” especially with the “dismantling” of sector six, lacking “minimum enabling conditions.”
The regional official recalled that more than 53 million euros have already been invested to rehouse 239 families, a figure that "proves that the project works, although there is still much to do by the three administrations."
