Intermediation service for people in the process of evictions and occupancies

The Intermediation Service for People in the Process of Evictions and Occupancies (SIPHO) is the last phase in an intervention by the Unit Against Residential Exclusion under Barcelona Municipality's 2016-25 Right to Housing Plan. Its objective is to coordinate relevant actors and resources for urgent, integral intervention.The service intervenes in cases where eviction orders are being executed, and debt settlement arrangements and income continuance have either not been explored or not been accepted. Its functions include:Mediation between landlords and tenants, and between lenders and mortgagees;Options to assume the existing debt and arrears and allow occupants to remain in place;Arrangements for legal aid;Advice and assistance;And competency to allocate alternative housing where evictions are unavoidable.In 2016 the service helped more than 1,570 families, representing 80% of the total cases in the city.