The Síndic criticises Toni Pérez’s Government for failing to act proactively in an extreme case of housing vulnerability

The Socialist Municipal Group has denounced what it describes as serious mismanagement and a lack of social sensitivity on the part of the People’s Party (PP) administration led by Toni Pérez, following a new ruling by the Síndic de Greuges, the Valencian Ombudsman, highlighting the City Council’s inaction in an extreme case of housing vulnerability.

Deputy spokesperson Sergi Castillo explained that the Ombudsman’s ruling criticises the City Council for failing to take proactive action and contact the Valencian regional government to ensure that a vulnerable person who had been requesting accommodation since September 2025 had their needs genuinely and effectively met. Possible solutions include the allocation of public housing, the provision of accommodation or the implementation of an alternative mechanism.

In this regard, the Valencian Ombudsman states in its report that “under the system established by the Social Function of Housing Act, it is unacceptable for someone who approaches the administration stating that they have no home to be left without an appropriate resource to alleviate their situation, particularly if they belong to a particularly vulnerable household or are at risk of social exclusion”.

In its recommendations, the Ombudsman advises the City Council to examine the request submitted by the individual concerned and, within the scope of its housing and social services responsibilities and in accordance with the right to good administration, provide a genuine and effective solution to the needs identified.

It also recommends that, if the Council does not have resources available in the short term to meet the individual’s accommodation needs, it should take the necessary steps on its own initiative to request intervention by the Valencian regional government, which is responsible for ensuring the right to housing. The recommendation applies both to this particular case and to any future cases involving similar circumstances.

In response, Castillo criticised the PP-led local government for continuing to turn its back on the real problems facing residents.

“It is unacceptable that, in the face of such a dramatic situation for vulnerable people in our city, the City Council should stand by and do nothing, evading its responsibilities and failing to activate the mechanisms needed to protect those most in need,” he said.

“The Síndic de Greuges has once again exposed the disastrous management of Mr Pérez, showing that the City Council is not only acting too late, but is also failing to demonstrate the proactive approach expected of a public administration when a citizen’s dignity and basic right to a roof over their head are at stake,” he added.

Finally, the Socialist deputy spokesperson called on the mayor to act on the recommendations issued by the Síndic de Greuges and activate all available cooperation mechanisms with the Valencian regional government to ensure that no Benidorm resident experiencing vulnerability is left without support or denied effective access to decent housing or an alternative accommodation solution.