“Latin Americans Living in Spain Face Housing Nightmare”
Shared beds, scams, entire families living in one room, and discrimination are just some of the abuses faced by many Latin Americans living in Spain while searching for accommodation. The rising rental prices and shortage of housing have left immigrants, especially those without proper documentation or work contracts, vulnerable to the excessive demands of landlords.
Liliana, a 29-year-old Peruvian woman, found herself sharing a bed and sleeping in the dining room of an apartment with five other people during her first year in Spain. Eventually, she had to leave her job due to the demands of the older woman she was living with, making her situation even more complicated.
Iliana, a 32-year-old Salvadoran, faced discrimination when searching for housing due to her pregnancy. Despite having the financial means to afford a room in Barcelona, she had to settle for one in a neighboring town, forcing her to endure long commutes and complications with her daughter’s daycare.
The challenges extend to families as well. Isy from Honduras lives in a rented room with her three children, with limited access to the apartment’s facilities. Stephanie, who hails from Colombia, dreams of bringing her son to Spain but struggles due to the high cost of apartments.
Housing, along with finding a decent job with a fair salary, remains one of the main concerns for Latin Americans in Spain. The situation highlights the need for better housing policies and support for immigrants in the country.