Sant Josep approves legal equalization for Don Pepe apartment blocks

The Sant Josep City Council has approved the legal equalization of Block A and Block B of the Don Pepe apartment buildings. This administrative decision is considered a critical step toward the rehabilitation of the complex, which has been evacuated since 2020.

Silvia Hernández, spokesperson for the residents, stated that the agreement ‘unlocks everything’ regarding the rehabilitation process. Previously, the lack of documented building licenses for Block A had blocked requests for construction permits. Residents argue that while the physical documents may have been lost due to a lack of digitalization in the past, historical evidence—including military authorizations, 1964 tax payments for both blocks, and 1965 notary deeds—supports the existence of the original license.

The situation remains critical for many residents. Of the 48 owners in Block A, 29 continue to pay rent elsewhere after six years of displacement, often while simultaneously paying mortgages on the uninhabitable properties. Residents are now preparing to define negotiation terms in community assemblies to present to the City Council.