An expanding service
In the heart of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, the Centre for Urgent and Emergency Social Services of Barcelona (Cuesb) has significantly evolved since its creation a decade ago. This centre, which was born from an agreement between the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) and the Municipal Institute of Social Services (IMSS), has expanded its reach to offer assistance to 26 localities, consolidating itself as a fundamental pillar in metropolitan social care.
The data is revealing: while in 2016 the Cuesb assisted only 454 people, it is expected to close the year 2025 with nearly 2,000 assistances. This increase is not coincidental; it reflects a growing need for social services in critical situations such as evictions or housing emergencies. In particular, interventions for social emergencies have seen a notable increase, rising from 218 cases in 2016 to over 1,700 currently.
The Cuesb acts as a temporary first response to various social crises. Its work is crucial when unexpected situations arise, such as fires or evictions, where housing alternatives are non-existent. Although cases related to emergencies have grown moderately—from 236 to 280—there has also been an increase in the complexity and number of specific emergencies addressed.
Ester Pujol, Director of Social and Economic Development at AMB, emphasises the importance of this inter-municipal collaboration: “The Cuesb is a clear example of how metropolitan cooperation allows for the optimisation of public resources and guarantees essential services.” This synergy not only improves the quality of service but also ensures that smaller municipalities can access resources that would be unattainable individually.
As the deadline for the current agreement between AMB and IMSS approaches, both organisations are working hard to establish a new agreement that will continue to strengthen this collaborative model. The intention is to keep adapting and improving the services offered by the Cuesb to effectively respond to the growing social demands.
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