Mazón Relieves Tensions in Alicante: Greeted with Shouts of 'President!' in One of the City's Humblest Neighbourhoods

President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, arrived to applause in the Miguel Hernández neighbourhood of Alicante during his visit to the Generalitat's comprehensive housing rehabilitation works. After weeks of public pressure over the management of the storm, which has accompanied the head of the Consell at every event he has attended, this visit to the former José Antonio neighbourhood in Alicante's capital was a breath of fresh air, as a group of residents applauded and cheered Mazón upon his arrival. Additionally, there were shouts of 'president, president'.

In the area, he was awaited by the president of the Sol d'Alacant José Antonio Neighbourhood Association, Lisardo Gabarre, accompanied by several residents who initiated the cheers and applause. Other politicians also attended the visit, including the Minister of Education and Culture, José Antonio Rovira, the Councillor for Housing and Urban Mobility, Carlos de Juan, and the Councillor for Security, Julio Calero.

After the warm reception, unlike what the president has faced in recent months, the political representatives visited - along with some residents - the rehabilitation works of the first buildings in Yolanda Escrich Fornié square, which began in 2024. The work focused on a block of 20 homes at numbers 5 and 6 of the square, although it is expected to continue until the renovation of all constructions is completed.

The Generalitat awarded the works of the Miguel Hernández group this Wednesday, valued at 3,808,471 euros (including VAT) with an execution period of 18 months. This action is part of the second phase of rehabilitation of these buildings.

The total investment amounts to 11.9 million, divided into two phases. The first involves work on Yolanda Escrich 7 and 8, now awarded, and the second corresponds to numbers 2, 3, and 4, whose execution project is in the drafting phase.

The planned actions in the Yolanda Escrich 7 and 8 square project include providing accessibility to the building and homes. It includes the renovation of common elements and the installation of lifts. The works will also include the adaptation of accessible homes, entrance halls, stairs, and floor landings, according to Consell sources.

Similarly, these works will also significantly improve the energy efficiency of the buildings, with actions on the thermal envelope and the buildings' airtightness, according to sources from the Ministry of Social Services, Equality, and Housing.

To carry out these works, a series of actions are necessary that make execution incompatible with the continued residence of the occupants of the Yolanda Escrich 7 and 8 homes. Hence, a relocation programme has been implemented for the occupants of the 16 homes to other public housing in Alicante.

After visiting the Miguel Hernández group, the president of the Generalitat moved to the Campoamor centre, also in Alicante's capital, to continue with his official agenda.