Massive Protests in Madrid Over Housing Crisis Following Elderly Woman's Eviction
Tens of thousands protested in Madrid over Spain's severe housing crisis following the controversial eviction of an 87-year-old woman whose rent surged after an investment fund bought her building.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Madrid on Saturday to protest against the worsening housing crisis in Spain. The massive rallies were sparked by the recent eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maria del Carmen Abascal, who had lived in the same rent-controlled apartment in the upscale Retiro district for decades.
The Eviction of Maria del Carmen Abascal
Abascal's father originally rented the property in 1956, and she continued to live there under a regulated rent agreement following her parents' deaths. However, a change in building ownership and the subsequent acquisition of the apartment by an investment fund caused her monthly rent to skyrocket from 500 euros to 2,650 euros. This staggering increase vastly exceeded her pension income.
Following three previously blocked eviction attempts, authorities finally removed Abascal on a stretcher and placed her in an ambulance on Wednesday. The harrowing images triggered widespread outrage across Spain. Protesters gathered in Puerta del Sol, with some pitching tents to demand stronger tenant protections, tighter regulations against speculative funds, and a complete ban on evictions without alternative housing.
A Nationwide Housing Crisis
Despite boasting the fourth-largest economy in Europe, Spain faces a profound housing crunch. According to the Bank of Spain, the country suffered a shortage of approximately 550,000 housing units last year, concentrated heavily in major urban centers like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Public housing remains scarce, accounting for less than 2% of the national housing stock compared to an EU average of 8%. Protesters argue that aggressive real estate speculation and the uncontrolled growth of tourist accommodations continue to price everyday citizens out of the market.
"We cannot continue like this. Housing is a right, and we no longer have it," said Dora Garcia, a 55-year-old nurse who joined the demonstrations in Madrid.
