Majorca's housing situation has long been facing a crisis and tourists have often been blamed for the overcrowding. But in the island's town of Santa Margalida, Mayor Joan Monjo has tied the issue to squatting. Santa Margalida has a registered population of around 13,750, some 8,700 of whom live in the resort of Can Picafort. There are also, according to Mayor Joan Monjo, approximately 1,500 squatters. 

Monjo told Majorca Daily Bulletin that there has been a problem with squatters for years, but that it has worsened. He thinks that tourism is being demonised, when in reality there are approximately 250 properties with squatters where families could be living. 

The mayor thinks that tourism is the main driver of the Balearic economyand criticised politicians for not taking appropriate action to address the difficulties in accessing housing.

He said: "In Santa Margalida we have 17,000 hotel places. The hotels pay their taxes and create jobs. However, we have some 1,500 social tourists who don't pay anything and yet create many problems." 

Some squats are in properties owned by banks that were left unfinished because of the financial crisis. Very few homes have been built since 2010.

Monjo expressed fears for people's safety.

He said: "There are ten to twelve people living in each apartment without the minimum health and safety guarantees." While the town hall has been blocking access to properties, the mayor said they will soon become reoccupied.

The mayor said some of the squatters are immigrants who work as street vendors on the beaches. There are also children and workers who don't want to pay rent. He maintained that many of the squatters commit crimes in Santa Margalida.