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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/06/capsule-housing-plan-for-low-income-workers-causes-outrage-in-spain
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| 'Capsule' housing plan for low income workers causes outrage in Spain | 'Capsule' housing plan for low income workers causes outrage in Spain |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| A Barcelona company has sparked outrage with a plan to rent out tiny pods where low income workers would live side by side like bees in a hive for as little as 200 euros ($232) a month. | A Barcelona company has sparked outrage with a plan to rent out tiny pods where low income workers would live side by side like bees in a hive for as little as 200 euros ($232) a month. |
| The company argues that the project, called Haibu, which means beehive in Japanese, is a solution to a shortage of affordable housing in the Catalan capital. But Barcelona city hall has refused to issue a licence for it, saying such tiny accommodation is unfit for humans. | The company argues that the project, called Haibu, which means beehive in Japanese, is a solution to a shortage of affordable housing in the Catalan capital. But Barcelona city hall has refused to issue a licence for it, saying such tiny accommodation is unfit for humans. |
| "Fortunately piling up people is prohibited. The law does not allow this type of dwelling," Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, a former housing and anti-eviction activist, told reporters on Thursday. | "Fortunately piling up people is prohibited. The law does not allow this type of dwelling," Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, a former housing and anti-eviction activist, told reporters on Thursday. |
| Despite the lack of a licence, the company, Haibu 4.0, has already started building the first eight pods which it expects will be finished by the end of September at an empty business premises. | Despite the lack of a licence, the company, Haibu 4.0, has already started building the first eight pods which it expects will be finished by the end of September at an empty business premises. |
| Each 2.4 square metres (21.5 square feet) pod will be equipped with a bed, TV, storage space and power plugs, following the model of capsule accommodation geared for tourists which is popular in Japan. | Each 2.4 square metres (21.5 square feet) pod will be equipped with a bed, TV, storage space and power plugs, following the model of capsule accommodation geared for tourists which is popular in Japan. |
| The project will include a communal area with a kitchen, lounge and bathrooms, and the monthly rent would include utility bills and wifi. | The project will include a communal area with a kitchen, lounge and bathrooms, and the monthly rent would include utility bills and wifi. |
| 'Tourists go home, refugees welcome': why Barcelona chose migrants over visitors | 'Tourists go home, refugees welcome': why Barcelona chose migrants over visitors |
| The website for the project says the Haibu housing is restricted to those aged 25-45 who have a minimum salary of 450 euros a month. Five hundred people have shown interest in renting a pod, according to the company. | The website for the project says the Haibu housing is restricted to those aged 25-45 who have a minimum salary of 450 euros a month. Five hundred people have shown interest in renting a pod, according to the company. |
| "We are based on the idea that a group of people who can’t have access to housing can band together and move ahead," Victoria Cerdan, one of the entrepreneurs behind Haibu 4.0, told AFP. | "We are based on the idea that a group of people who can’t have access to housing can band together and move ahead," Victoria Cerdan, one of the entrepreneurs behind Haibu 4.0, told AFP. |
| "Obviously it is not adequate housing. No one would want it for themselves. But no one wants a monthly salary of 500 euros and unfortunately they exist. Instead of living on the street, we offer this." | "Obviously it is not adequate housing. No one would want it for themselves. But no one wants a monthly salary of 500 euros and unfortunately they exist. Instead of living on the street, we offer this." |
| The project was blasted on social media, with Inigo Errejon, a prominent lawmaker with Spain’s anti-austerity Podemos party tweeting: "There are similar houses in cemeteries. They are called coffins." | The project was blasted on social media, with Inigo Errejon, a prominent lawmaker with Spain’s anti-austerity Podemos party tweeting: "There are similar houses in cemeteries. They are called coffins." |
| The project comes amid a fierce debate in Spain over soaring rents, especially in big cities like Barcelona, with the average rent for a flat soaring 28.7% between 2014 and 2017 to 903.4 euros, according to city hall figures. | The project comes amid a fierce debate in Spain over soaring rents, especially in big cities like Barcelona, with the average rent for a flat soaring 28.7% between 2014 and 2017 to 903.4 euros, according to city hall figures. |
| The average monthly salary in Spain is 1,880 euros – and less than 1,300 euros for those under the age of 30 – which makes it difficult to rent a home. | The average monthly salary in Spain is 1,880 euros – and less than 1,300 euros for those under the age of 30 – which makes it difficult to rent a home. |
| Spain | Spain |
| Barcelona | Barcelona |
| Europe | Europe |
| Housing | Housing |
| news | news |
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