After a lengthy bidding process that has been ongoing since the previous term, the Ministry of Social Services has approved the proposal to award the management of the Altabix residence in Elche to the Eulen group. Eulen's sociosanitary subsidiary stood out with the best technical and economic score among eight competitors, offering a daily rate of 92.40 euros per place. A period for requesting documentation, approving the proposal, and formalizing the new service is now open.
The process has been marked by complaints from residents' families and staff regarding the residence's conditions, including staff shortages, inadequate air conditioning, and outdated salaries. The Síndic de Greuges (Ombudsman) also urged the Generalitat to intervene. The new concession includes a 40% increase in the annual cost, rising from 2.9 to 4.6 million euros, with a maximum projected investment of 14.1 million euros for the initial three years.
The situation at the Altabix residence was not an isolated case, as the Generalitat had to settle a debt of over 100 million euros owed to residence concessionaires in the Valencian Community. The Elche City Council has been awaiting developments, while family associations like Recova have pushed for an accelerated process.
The new concession, with an annual cost of 4.6 million euros (a 40% increase from the current one), could reach 22.6 million if the two-year extension is exercised. The residence has 136 places (116 residential and 20 day care) and an increase in staff to an average of 73.60 workers is planned, including improvements in salaries and working conditions.
