The mayor, Rosario Andújar, visited Block 9 to announce a contribution of over €33,000 that will complete a €200,000 grant.
The Barriada de Andalucía in Osuna finally has a lift and stairlift in one of its blocks, a long-demanded action by the residents that the City Council has supported with a direct financial contribution. The mayor, Rosario Andújar, accompanied by deputy mayors Brígida Pachón and Asunción Bellido, visited Block 9 on Wednesday to check the start of works that will eliminate architectural barriers in a building mostly inhabited by elderly people.
The intervention, which has a grant of around €200,000, will also receive over €33,000 from the council, covering 20% of the remaining budget. As the mayor explained, this collaboration will mean that the owners will hardly have to spend any money out of their own pockets, providing financial relief that adds to the social benefit of the measure.
Andújar expressed her satisfaction during the tour and highlighted the impact it will have on the daily lives of the residents: “We are delighted because we are very aware of how good and how much the installation of a lift in this block will mean.” The mayor emphasized that the improvement is not just about comfort, but about autonomy for people with reduced mobility, who will be able to go out without depending on others.
The visit also served to recall the origin of the project, a commitment that Andújar made years ago with the residents of the neighbourhood. At that time, she promised that if the blocks were constituted as property communities and applied for public aid, the City Council would cover the unfunded part. “This is a commitment I made many years ago, which I have maintained over time and which is now coming to fruition,” the mayor stated before those present.
The president of the community, Fernando Rosado, thanked all the owners for their involvement and pointed out that “this is an achievement for everyone.” Rosado had been coordinating the procedures for over two years and highlighted that the municipal contribution has been “fundamental” to make the installation of the lift viable, as without it many residents would not have been able to afford the cost.
The action is part of a broader strategy by the Osuna City Council to improve the accessibility of residential buildings. During the event, the mayor encouraged the other blocks in the Barriada de Andalucía and other areas such as the Barriada de la Paz to follow the same path: “I encourage all blocks to pursue this initiative. Now that they see that things are real, that they can be achieved and that the City Council is fulfilling its commitment, we will certainly respond under the same conditions.”
The mayor also highlighted the collateral effect of these works, as the installation of a lift increases the value of the flats and makes the buildings more habitable, benefiting both current owners and future buyers. “We achieve flats with greater economic value and, above all, much more accessible buildings,” she added.
The residents of Block 9, many of whom are elderly, expressed their joy for a long-awaited action that will facilitate their access to their homes and restore some independence. The work, which has already begun, includes both the lift and a stairlift to ensure mobility on all floors.
This project represents another step in the municipality's accessibility policy, which in recent years has been adapting public spaces and private buildings to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The collaboration between the administration and residents presents itself as a model to follow for other communities in a similar situation.
The works in Block 9 add to other actions planned in the neighbourhood, where several blocks have already begun the procedures to apply for the same aid. The City Council has assured that it will maintain its commitment to finance the part not covered by grants, as long as the communities are constituted and apply for the funds.
With this intervention, Osuna strengthens its commitment to a barrier-free city, where elderly people and those with reduced mobility can move around normally. The mayor's next visit is scheduled for the completion of the works, when the final result will be checked and the possibility of extending the model to other areas of the municipality will be evaluated.
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