The Spanish Association of Public Housing and Land Managers (AVS) has presented the prestigious Toni Sorolla AVS Award to the Cádiz City Council, via its municipal housing company Procasa. The recognition celebrates the project developed at the Edificio Setenil, a pioneering initiative focused on the comprehensive care of homeless individuals.
This award honors innovative models aimed at improving people's quality of life, dignity, and social inclusion. The intervention at the Edificio Setenil integrates architecture, urban planning, and social support, key elements appreciated by the jury.
The president of Procasa and Councilor for Housing, Ana Sanjuán, explained that the building offers 11 accommodations with 22 places, designed not just as residential resources but as tools for social intervention to provide new opportunities for those experiencing homelessness.
The management of the building, owned by Procasa, falls under the municipal delegation of Social Affairs of the City Council, led by deputy mayor Pablo Otero. The implemented model includes professional support, individualized follow-up, and the creation of pathways for residents' progressive autonomy.
Pablo Otero highlighted that the award is significant news for the city and acknowledges the work of the Social Affairs delegation staff, whose daily efforts in care, advice, and support are crucial in this center that combines housing, social support, and community living.
The jury particularly valued the innovative nature of the initiative, which adapts residential responses to the specific needs of a vulnerable group, moving beyond traditional welfare models. The architectural planning, designed to create spaces ensuring privacy, fostering coexistence, and supporting the recovery of autonomous life projects, was also emphasized.
The Edificio Setenil aims not only to provide shelter but also to "generate opportunities, support personal recovery processes, and restore dignity to those most in need," according to municipal information.
Ana Sanjuán stated that the project demonstrates that "public housing can and must be a tool for social inclusion," by combining accommodation, professional support, and personal autonomy development. She added that "the best public architecture is that which improves people's lives," and the Edificio Setenil embodies this idea.
Another aspect highly praised by the jury was the model's replicability in other municipalities, consolidating an innovative approach that integrates housing policies and social services. Ana Sanjuán emphasized that recognition from AVS confirms progress towards public policies viewing housing as a right and a vital element in combating social exclusion.
