Lleida faces homelessness crisis among seasonal farm workers

The city of Lleida in Spain is confronting a growing homelessness problem as hundreds of temporary agricultural workers arrive for the fruit‑picking season. Councilor Laura Bergés of the Comú de Lleida warned that many are forced to sleep on the streets, along the Segre River and in public squares because the municipality has not provided adequate temporary accommodation. A planned tender to build a shelter was cancelled and the existing Caparrella facility only serves workers who already have a contract, leaving many without basic services such as showers or toilets.

Reports also describe a broken‑lock shed near the Suda where people are sleeping, and municipal crews have been cleaning nearby areas while the Urban Guard monitors the situation. The councilor highlighted that the lack of facilities endangers health, fuels xenophobic rhetoric and contradicts the city’s image as a leading agro‑food capital.