Venezuelan migration in the Global North and South. Informal residential strategies in Cali and Barcelona

Abstract

During residential integration processes, many immigrants can only access housing through informal residential markets at their destination, with variations depending on the context. This study compares the housing conditions of Venezuelan migrants in Cali, Colombia (Global South), and Barcelona, Spain (Global North), through 20 semi-structured interviews on their residential strategies in both contexts’ secondary housing markets. The analysis reveals the relevance of residential informality in both cities, taking different forms and implications in the South versus the North. In Cali, informally self-built houses can quickly adapt to the demand, often resulting in housing overcrowding and family cohabitation. In contrast, Barcelona’s housing stock is rigid but becomes informal through room subletting. In both contexts, their living conditions are affected by their housing situation, exacerbating vulnerability, and hindering integration.