Spain housing crisis: Thousands seek tenant protections after eviction of 87-year-old
In Madrid, a massive protest unfolded as tens of thousands rallied for stronger tenant protections amidst escalating rents and evictions. The poignant eviction of an elderly woman has spotlighted Spain’s ongoing housing crisis, sparking demands for measures to prevent fraud and a moratorium on evictions without alternative housing. With a notable shortage in rental properties, the housing dilemma…
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched through Madrid, demanding stronger tenant protections amid Spain's housing crisis. They protested against fraud, stronger safeguards for renters and a ban on evictions when no alternative housing is available. The demands were reignited by the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, who had lived in her Madrid apartment for decades.
Born when her father rented the property in 1956, Abascal remained there after her parents passed away. However, after the building changed hands in 2018, her monthly rent skyrocketed from 500 euros to 2,650 euros, a sum she could not afford from her pension. Despite three previous attempts to evict her, she was eventually forced out on Wednesday, sparking widespread outrage.
Protesters likened Abascal's situation to a "last straw" symbolizing a broader housing crisis. Teachers, nurses, and others joined the march, calling out vulture funds buying up homes, families being evicted, and elderly citizens facing homelessness. Some even pitched tents in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza, planning to camp out overnight or until police removed them.
Spain's housing shortage, driven by economic growth, tourism, population growth, and a limited supply of public rental housing, has pushed many Spaniards out of the market. The country is estimated to be short of about 550,000 homes, with Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia accounting for a significant share of the shortage. Public rental housing makes up less than 2% of available supply, far below the EU average of 8%.
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