Madrid residents feel the impact of Spain’s housing crisis

Spain's coalition government has approved two housing decrees following public outrage over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her long-time home in Madrid. The measures include an extension until 2030 of protection against eviction for vulnerable individuals, a two-year extension for specific rental contracts, stricter rules for seasonal and room rentals, and limitations on property purchases by certain investment funds until 2028. Another decree addresses the automatic renewal of rental contracts.

However, the government faces an uncertain vote in Congress, as the opposition parties Junts per Catalunya and Podemos have raised objections to the decrees. The cabinet meeting was delayed as the coalition partners finalized their agreement. The measures come in response to the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, who had lived in her Madrid residence for over 70 years.

Housing advocates had supported her through multiple attempts to remove her and have since joined protests in Madrid, demanding stronger measures to control housing costs.

Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez urged parliamentary groups to show "responsibility" when the decrees come to a vote, emphasizing that the eviction was a "collective failure." The first decree consolidates most proposals on tenant protection and the rental market, while the second decree focuses on the automatic renewal of rental contracts.

The government's proposed measures have not yet been fully detailed, and opposition parties have expressed concerns about specific provisions, such as automatic renewals and the treatment of small landlords.