In 2017, the unemployment rate in Spain was above 18 percent, and a fairly significant portion of these people are young adults and children. Over the last several years, thousands of Spaniards have begun to squat in empty buildings or live on the street because they don't have anywhere to go.
I am learning about the national need to support and help the homeless here in Spain. This need is specifically seen in cities, where there is a larger number of people in close proximity. While Ourense is a smaller city, I can still see this need. As I walk the streets, I see and interact with people in need outside of my grocery store, next to the bus stop near my apartment, near San Lazaro park, and in the streets of Casco Viejo (the old part of the city).
One reason for high levels of homelessness in Spain is high levels of unemployment. Ourense in particular does not have many job opportunities. Spain is still recovering from its economic crisis of 2008. Unfortunately, there is also a lack of public housing for those in need of it.
